POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT: CONSOLIDATED REPORT FOR 1-15 MARCH 2002

Transcription

1 ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT: CONSOLIDATED REPORT FOR 1-15 MARCH March 2002 A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

2 Overview The Human Rights NGO Forum has been documenting political violence since May The Forum has since produced more than 20 reports on politically motivated violence in which an attempt has been made to establish the pattern of gross human rights violations occurring and who has been responsible for the violations. Reports published by the Human Rights Forum have detailed acts of both physical and psychological torture, property destruction and massive intimidation. It has been noted that the majority of violators have been supporters of the ruling party, Zanu- PF, state agents and war veterans. Supporters of the opposition party, MDC, have been identified as perpetrators in relatively few incidents and as yet no evidence has come to light that they are operating on an organized basis as have Zanu-PF militia. Militia bases were set up in the run up to the poll and remained operational with the acquiescence of the state. Nothing was done to ensure that these bases were dismantled and those responsible for violations committed at these bases prosecuted. This suggests connivance of the state in terrorising its own people. In one notable case a High Court order had to be issued to ensure the release of Mutoko couple Ephraim Tapa and Faith Mukwakwa who had been kidnapped on 16 February 2002 and held at Masimbe Base in Mutoko for a month. Further to this the climate of impunity the Zimbabwean government provides for perpetrators of human rights abuses perpetuates further violations. Perpetrators of political violence in the run up to the June 2000 parliamentary election that benefited from Clemency Order 1 of October 2002 are still being identified by victims as violators in politically motivated violence. Some notable repeat offenders are Joseph Mwale, also named during the Buhera North electoral petition in the High Court as being responsible for the murder of Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika but never prosecuted for these murders; Mabasa Munotengwa, Elly Shiri and Bernard Siziba. The following report details politically motivated violence reported in the period directly before, during and that immediately after the 9-10 March poll. Contrary to the impression given by the state that there were no incidents of violence during the actual polling days, The Human Rights Forum recorded more than 24 incidents pf politically motivated violence in this period and on the extended polling day of 11 March Various methods were employed by the state to disenfranchise voters. These ranged from reduction of polling station in urban areas: in Harare they were down from 240 in the June 2000 parliamentary elections to 164 while there was a reduction by 18% in Bulawayo. This was despite the holding of a more time-consuming election tripartite election in Harare. As a result polling stations closed at the end of the day with thousands of urban voters left standing in queues and having been unable to vote. In addition, voters were not notified of the locality of polling stations in good time with the state controlled media only publishing the list of polling station for Harare on 8 March 2002, a day before the polls. In rural areas there were numerous reports of villagers being stripped of their identity documents, thus effectively being stripped of their right to vote. The opposition was not free to carry out its campaign in all areas of the country with the unacceptable levels of violence leading to the cancellation of an MDC rally in Marondera on March 1. The electorate was subjected to excessive levels of intimidation under which they were not free to openly support a party of their choice without fear. Judging by the high number of politically motivated human rights abuses documented to date and by the massive abuse of electoral rights, it is impossible to conclude that the Presidential Election 2002 was free and fair. 2

3 Totals 1 to 15 March 2002 Cumulative Totals 1 January March 2002 Sources: HR Forum legal statements, CFU reports and newspaper reports, Amani Trust medical assessments Notes to Tables: Torture: All cases under torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition of torture given in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment. The four elements of torture are: 1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental 2. Intentionally inflicted 3. With a purpose 4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the State. 3

4 Cases of Political Violence Beitbridge 3 March 2002 Wellington Chidzingwa, MDC organising secretary for Beitbridge, had his houses torched and his vehicle stoned by suspected war veterans and Zanu-PF supporters. Norman Chidzingwa and Isaac Muzhambi, both MDC supporters, were assaulted following the torching and stoning of Wellington Chidzingwa s property. The attackers are said to have been led by a security guard at Beitbridge hospital. Bindura 2 March 2002 Eight people were arrested for posting MDC election posters and undertaking voter education without ZRP permission. Two of them were Wonder Makaza, MDC district vice-chairperson, Peter Sofa Tapfumaneyi, the District Organising Secretary The group were detained in custody for 48 hours before they were released. 3 March 2002 It was reported to the Human Rights Forum election hotline that all ZNA/ZRP in the area were being made to vote early on 04/03/02. It was also reported that MDC were not being allowed to recruit polling agents, and that there was intimidation and voter miseducation in the area. 9 March 2002 RM was allegeldy abducted from Mupfumvuti School in Bindura at 5 pm along with two others. She was stationed at a polling station at the school as a local observer. RM. was detained and harassed for seven hours and later released. During the incident the victim lost her spectacles. Binga 11 March 2002 EM, an observer for ZESN, was arrested at female Pashu Polling Station for filling in a form with details and observations of voting for the day. Bubi-Umguza 3 March 2002 Twenty-six homes belonging to elderly villagers were torched and destroyed by suspected Zanu-PF youths operating with National Service Youths. Budiriro 3 March 2002 Gladys Hokoyo (ZANU-PF, ex-mp) was en route to a ZANU-PF meeting when her car was stoned and she was assaulted and her cellphone stolen. 4

5 Joseph Chinyama and Simangaliso Makuta were stoned at a ZANU-PF meeting and later admitted to Parirenyatwa. There were said to be in critical condition. Six people were arrested in connection with the incident. 9 March 2002 It was reported that ZRP officers visited Status Bar in Budiriro and asked the workers to close at 10 pm. There were still customers in the bar. The policemen came back at 12 midnight and started beating up customers including two workers who were injured. Riot police allegedly arrived at Budiriro 1 Primary School polling station and without provocation - started beating up the queuing voters with batons. People fled over walls while other were forced to run away. PM was injured on the knee and his eyes were affected by the tear gas. He also lost all personal effects, ie. ID, Passport, ATM card as well as $ Bulawayo South March 2002 An unnamed vegetable vendor was severely assaulted by Zanu-PF youth who are part of the militia terror in Bulawayo. Buhera North / South 12 March 2002 Two huts belonging to an Zanu-PF supporter were torched, damaging property worth Z$ Chimanimanini 7 March 2002 Six MDC polling agents were assaulted and two party vehicles were impounded. This is one of numerous instances of MDC election preparations being interrupted in Manicaland. 9 March 2002 Alexander Musiyadziriye (ZANU-PF) had his house torched (value not available) by people who are suspected MDC supporters. Chinhoyi 6 March 2002 Three people were abducted while pasting up ZANU-PF election posters and held in toilet at MDCoffices for three days. They were released by the police who were searching MDC offices for other suspected MDC gangsters. 8 March 2002 WN 5

6 Around 20:00 hours at Chemunde School in Chinhoyi, we deployed our MDC polling agents. Because we were not familiar with the place we got lost several times and in the process we were stopped by Zanu-PF youths. They ordered us to get out of the car and dragged us towards their base. There, at the base I was assaulted with clenched fists, booted feet, logs and I also had both legs and arms tied with barbed wire. I was assaulted on the back with logs and below the feet with logs as well. I was clapped on the face with open hands. PM was deploying MDC polling agents when he was stopped by Zanu-PF youths and taken to their base. There he was beaten under feet and all over my lower limb with logs. He was beaten on his back and buttocks with sjambocks. He was clapped on both eyes with hands. He sustained injuries on his right hand, and, injuries on his buttocks. He was only released at around 0500hrs the following morning. JK was at Chemunde School with some colleagues on the 8th of March deploying MDC polling agents. JK and his colleagues were stopped by Zanu-PF youths. They ordered them out of the car and dragged them towards their base. When they arrived at the base, JK clapped on the right eye and beaten with logs on both elbow joints. He was also beaten on both lower limbs, his back and his feet with logs. He was only released the next morning at around 5:00am. He sustained injuries to his legs which are swollen and bruises on his lower back and face. Chipinge South 15 March 2002 Eight teachers including James Moyana and Chikukwa were severely assaulted with knobkerries, iron bars, chains, sticks by Zanu-PF supporters in Checheche for their support of the MDC. Chitungwiza 3 March 2001 TB. was abducted on his way home from church by Zanu-PF youths. He was taken to their base and stripped. His personal goods and ID were taken. TB was then blindfolded and tortured with the use of falanga and beatings with blunt instruments and kicked. He was driven around during the night and threatened with shooting and electrical torture. One of the youths urinated on his face before he was abandoned in bushes in Seke. He sustained a swollen eye, abrasions to back, scratches and swelling to face. He is now suffering from a headache. 4 March 2002 ET was captured at Madangure Shopping Centre by a group of Zanu-PF supporters that included Kurai Chiota. He was taken to their base where he was beaten with booted feet and fists Dzivarasekwa 1 March 2002 Telliza Chawasarira and other unnamed ZANU-PF supporters had their houses stoned by a group of people whose political affiliation could not be established. The police arrested David Berejena, Joseph Chagadama, Langton Chikanya, Michael Chimala, 6

7 8 March 2002 Freddie Chinguware, Abisha Chituwu, Stephen Dhliwayo, Andrew Goto, Givemore Mabande, Nicholas Makore, Makuvaza Makwanise, David Mazhara-Mhaka, Herbert Mombeshora, Edmore Muchairi, Daniel Mukoto, Frank Nelson, Sunny Nhere, Tendai Nyakapanga, Trymore Sudya and Alfred Svinurai for the attack. Tapiwa Matunya and other bus passengers had their IDs confiscated in searches of buses commuting into city centre by the police. They were told they would be returned after polling on Monday 11 March 2002 AM reported that around 50 people at the end of a voters queue were rounded up by the police and arrested for trying to vote twice towards. Their hands were not actually checked for ink. The group was allegedly lumped into one cell and spent the night at Warren Park police station. 12 March 2002 SC was allegedly attacked by Zanu-PF supporters. He was later detained by the police at Kuwadzana Police Station from 6 pm until 12 midnight. SC was then taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment. He has chest and shoulder pains and also sustained head injuries. Glen Norah 2 March 2002 A group of people demanded to search the constituency office without a warrant and threatened Priscilla Mishairabwi-Mushonga (MDC MP, Glen Norah) and office workers with death. 7 March 2002 A group of Zanu-PF youths led by Zambuko came in a pick up truck to the vegetable market where GG operates a stall. They began burning MDC leaflets around her stall. One of the wooden poles supporting her stall fell on her injuring her arm. She was pushed and shoved by the youths before they destroyed her stall. All the money she had made that day, $3000+, was stolen and the stall looted. She was verbally abused by the youths. (Called hure yatsvangirai and kachembere karikutengesa nyika.) Amongst the perpetrators was Zambuko, the Zanu-PF candidate for councillor in the ward, and Peter Mareresa, the youth chairman. 9 March 2002 A number of voters were dispersed and ordered to go home after frustrated voters broke gates in order to enter the polling station. The Presiding Officer, Chatsworth Mabheka called in the riot squad. 11 March 2002 CC reported that at Zuvarabuda Primary School people waiting to vote were arrested and taken to Glen Norah police station for trying to vote twice even though they had not been tested for the ink. 7

8 12 March 2002 BC was allegedly beaten up by Zanu-PF youths. The youths then called in the police who took him to Glen Norah police station where he was detained overnight. He was released on 13 March Glen View 8 March 2002 Better Tsandugwa (ZANU-PF Branch Chair) was allegedly attacked and bundled into a car belonging to MDC youths. His whereabouts are still unknown. 9 March 2002 JM was an accredited ZESN observer. After polling on 9 March he was followed by Zanu-PF youths who beat him up at Glen View 8 Shopping Centre for supporting the MDC. He was beaten with heavy sticks. Some police officers are said to have arrived and also joined in with the beating. JM was beaten for about 40 minutes. Gokwe East 6 March 2002 It was reported that an unnamed MDC driver was ferrying MDC literature and food supplies for election agents, seals for the ballot boxes and stickers when he was stopped by the ZRP and detained without charge. The vehicle and its cargo were impounded. 13 March 2002 Seventeen MDC polling agents were assaulted and had their homes torched. They then fled the area. Gokwe West 13 March 2002 Seven unnamed MDC polling agents, were assaulted and had their homes burnt down. They then fled the area. Guruve North 11 March 2002 A.M., an election agent and part of the vehicle support unit reported that on, a lorry carrying the ballot boxes from Katchuta polling station at left 5.30am instead of the agreed 7.00am. A.M. rediscovered the lorry as it drove through Guruve three hours later (note the lorry took two hours longer than it should have on the journey). A.M. went to Guruve police station to try and find out what the situation was with other polling agents in the area. He received no information at the police station but as he was leaving heard a police radio message ordering the arrest of polling agents in the Mavuradonha mountains. He alerted the Commonwealth observers hoping for intervention but received no help there. At 11.00am, A.M. returned to the police station in Guruve. He was apprehended by Inspector N. He and another group of people at the station were informed that they were under arrest and would be charged under the 8

9 POSA for assaulting a police officer and using a radio with out a licence. The group were not allowed to make any calls and were detained at Guruve police station for the night. Conditions were described by A.M. as cramped and unsanitary. Thirty-one prisoners were kept in a room measuring 6m x 5m, with a hole in the corner for a toilet. There was little fresh oxygen in the cell, and the concrete floor was covered with thin blankets. Food was scarce, either a little porridge or a bread roll. Later on, the group was transferred to Bindura police station, where they were told that they would be beaten up. Upon arrival at Bindura police station, they were told that they would have to give statements to the police. At this point the lawyer for the group interceded with the police who said that they would drop the charges under POSA and keep the men in for the radio charge. A.M. declined to accept the offer and was detained for a second night at Bindura police station, along with the remainder of the group. He describes the cell conditions as being similar to Guruve but with less oxygen circulating around the cell. On the morning of 13 March, the men signed an admission of guilt statement, and they were released with bail that afternoon. Gokwe North 9 March 2002 An MDC polling agent named as Nicchodemus, was reported as having been abducted by Zanu-PF supporters. ZNA officers providing security at Chomukuyu Polling Station polling station were reported as having chased away MDC polling agents for the whole day. As a result MDC polling agents failed to observe polling at this station. 10 March 2002 The polling station in Kasawanga Village was reported to have been set up at the headman s homestead. The headman is said to have called people s names from his village register. The police did not provide security but instead by youths from the Border Gezi National Service Youth Service Training Centre fully clad in their green uniforms. Goromonzi 7 March 2002 AT was assaulted by Zanu-PF members for being MDC and failing to show them some of the MDC supporters around the area. He was taken to their base at Goromonzi turn off and assaulted using sticks, hose pipes, hands and booted feet. He was burnt on the eyelid with a cigarette by one of the assailants. CM was assaulted by Zanu-PF supporters for allegedly supporting the wrong party. They used hosepipes, sticks, open hands and booted feet. The assailants took the victim at his workplace and took him to their base at the Goromonzi turnoff along Mutare road. Was assaulted all over the body and burnt on the eyelid with a cigarette. 9 March 2002 SC reported that while he was assessing MDC polling agents at Rusike Business Centre in Goromonzi they were attacked by Zanu-PF supporters and beaten up. He, together with IM and AM were force marched to Munamba Base and beaten up with iron bars, leather straps, heavy sticks, bricks and fists. AM s car tyres were deflated at 9

10 Rusike and the militia later burnt his car. They also took $28 000, his cell phone and other personal items. They were later driven to Murehwa war veterans command centre and interrogated under direction of base commander, Katsiru. He was later taken to Murehwa Police Camp. Guruve North/South 1 March 2002 JM was campaigning for his party (MDC) when he was abducted and taken by Zanu- PF youths to their base. He was handcuffed and beaten for an hour before police intervened by arresting him and charging him a fine of $60. FB was campaigning for the MDC in Bakasa Village when he was abducted by Zanu- PF youths who took him to their base and beat him up for an hour, The police then came and took him into custody for two days and made him pay a fine. JM was assaulted for distributing MDC fliers in Guruve. He was attacked by more than 30 people with baton sticks. They blindfolded and handcuffed him and then assaulted him for more than two hours. The police came and arrested him but left his assailants. He was held in custody until 4 March 2002 and made to pay a fine. RS was returning home to Guruve South after distributing MDC pamphlets. He was stopped at a road block at Mbizi Businesss Centre by Zanu-PF youths. RS attempted to escape but the youths fetched the war veterans and gave chase. He was captured at Mukwango Growth Point by the youths and taken to their base. There he was detained for nine hours, whipped with sjamboks, kicked, made to run, received verbal abuse, and was told that his head would be cut off. Gweru Rural 8 March 2002 A windscreen of Gasela s car was shattered after ZANU-PF members stoned his car. Polling agents fled from the attackers based at the polling station. Harare East 10 March 2002 DM was cycling in Borrowdale Road at around 8 am in the morning. She was allegedly stopped by presidential guards and asked why using she was using that road. They then asked to sit in water and the to roll in it. The perpetrators were two presidential guards, a soldier and two policemen. She was made to carry her bike on her head for about 300 metres. One of the soldiers loaded his gun and pointed it at DM. A man driving past was told not to look and the gun was pointed at him. One of the soldiers saw a police car coming and warned the others to stop. Harare Central 4 March 2002 Morgan Tsvangirai, unnamed diplomats and election observers had their meeting broken up 30 minutes after starting by the police. Permission was granted under 10

11 10 March 2002 POSA provided the police was present. The meeting was stopped after they were required to leave. AC was an accredited local observer with ZESN. He was accosted at the polling station at Admiral Tait School and taken to the Zanu-PF provincial headquarters in 4 th Street. He suspects that his abductors were CIO agents.he was beaten and then had all his documents taken away before they let him go. At the polling station he was told that all local observers were barred from the polling station. Suspected CIO agents are alleged to have abducted CG from Admiral Tait Polling station. He was taken to the Zanu-PF provincial offices in 4 th Street. He was beaten with booted feet, slaps and fists. The victim had $250 and an electric test metre taken from him before he was let go. Harare East 6 March 2002 A number of Zanu-PF members were apprehended by MDC youth after a clash at Athlone involving Zanu-PF supporters assaulting members of the public. They took them to Rhodesville Police Station where Zanu-PF militants had taken over the station. Eleven MDC supporters were taken into police cells overnight apparently for their own safety. The next day they were taken to Harare Central Police Station where they were charged with abduction. They were remanded on Z$3 000 bail each to the 25 March 2002 after ZRP officer Simon Matseko conceded his report was baised Harare South 5 March 2002 EF was walking down Angwa Street with a friend. He bumped into three people who said they thought he had died after they had beaten him up in July 2001 in Chikomba. The group was being led then by the late Chenjerai Hunzvi. The group then attacked him punching on the side of the neck and stabbing him on the jaw. One of the assailants was Rueben Chitsaka DD was walking along Angwa Street when a group of men demanded Zanu-PF party cards from them. When he failed to produce one he was assaulted with punches and booted feet. He was also hit on the head with a bottle. 6 March 2002 Gabriel Chaibva, MDC MP for Harare South,had his house stoned for the second time in two months. David Fenga, a neighbour to Chaibva, also had his house stoned for the second time in two months resulting in damage to the roof and windows. Mostaf Bereko, Enoch Diver, guards at Chaibva s house, were injured when the house was stoned. Bereko suffered a head injury while Diver lost a tooth. 11

12 Highfield 9 March 2002 It was reported that at Kudzanai Primary School Polling Station the police were beating up people in the queues in the name of maintaining order. However, the crowd s behaviour did not warrant any violent response from the police. The crowd was displaying signs of impatience at the slow voting process. Hurungwe East 3 March 2002 BS, aged 27, was walking along a road in Karoi town when he was set upon by a group of people from outside the area. He was abducted and later stabbed. He has a stab wound in the abdomen and in the head and multiple stable wounds in his back. He also has bruising of the genitalia. CS. reported that in the evening five farmers in the area were assisting with the distribution of MDC pamphlets and literature. They were subjected to intimidation when they were involved in two high speed chases. The farmers then called for assistance from another group of farmers. They then went to Karoi police station for help. At the station, the vehicles of the farmers were searched, and the police found the MDC literature and a firearm in one of the vehicles. Fifteen men were initially arrested. Eventually only five were detained, one of them being charged with illegally carrying a weapon. 8 March 2002 Godfrey Gumbo and his maid Lucy were allegedly assaulted by a group of about 15 Zanu-PF and war veterans at his shop premises in Magunje whilst he was briefing civic and church leaders on the MDC s plans for the area. They two were stoned and beaten with rods. Another unnamed man was also stoned and received 5 stitches to his head. Godfrey s radio and kitchen utensils were stolen. Gumbo previously witnessed the murder of Milton Chambati at the same location. 9 March There is reportedly thousands of people who had their IDs stolen or confiscated by ZANU-PF, members of ZNLWVA and the youth militia at Hestcheth Park Farm in Karoi. These individuals lose their right to vote because of their lack of identification documents. 10 March 2002 MY went to the polling station at Tavoy Farm in Karoi where he was confronted by suspected Zanu-PF supporters and was accused of being an MDC supporter because he had been brought there by whites. He was beaten all over the body, head and on the soles of his feet for over an hour. MY was also urinated on. The militia attempted to drown him and burn him before releasing him. MY sustained injuries to his back and soles of his feet. AZ was a polling agent for the MDC at Tavoy Farm in Karoi. He was allegedly abducted by Zanu-PF youths during his lunch break. AZ was beaten all over his body, head and soles of his feet. 12

13 WM was attempting to vote at the polling station at Tavoy Farm in Karoi when he was dragged into the bushes by suspected Zanu-PF youths. He was beaten up for over an hour for having been brought by a white man to the polls. They beat him all over his body, head and soles of his feet and they urinated in his mouth. Hurungwe West 2 March 2002 NC aged 20 was abducted by Zanu-PF supporters and assaulted with clear beer bottles. He was then taken to a base and interrogated, beaten with straps and booted feet. He was humiliated, intimidated and received a death threat. He was later collected by the Chinhoyi CID who questioned him and then released him. Some of the persons who abducted and beat him are Doubt, Black Jesus, Chamunorwa and Kudakwashe. NC has lacerations on his head, his lips and his nose. He has a swollen elbow and multiple linear bruising associated with whipping. 6 March 2002 Hwedza Five MDC supporters and the driver of the landrover which was ferrying them, were attacked by Zanu-PF supporters when they stopped in Magunje to buy refreshments on the evening of 6 March The six men were all assaulted, the driver severely, before they managed to flee into the bush. Personal items and the ID of the driver were stolen. The driver is currently receiving medical treatment. 1 March 2002 PN, aged 30, had come to Hwedza for an MDC rally. He was told to disembark from the bus by war veterans and army personnel. He was beaten with baton sticks on his back, buttocks and right forearm. He suffered bruising and a haematoma. Hwange East 11 March villagers were allegedly assaulted by suspected Zanu-PF youths at Ndimakute Primary School. Three of them were seriously injured and taken to Victoria Falls hospital. The youths have since been arrested by the police. Kadoma Central 4 March 2002 It was reported to the Human Rights Forum election hotline that voting had taken place over the weekend at Waverly and Rumuka. People were told that they had to practise voting, all were escorted to polling booths and forced to mark X next to ZANU-PF on ballot paper. 13

14 Kadoma West 10 March 2002 IM was the ZESN supervisor for Kadoma West. He was abducted by militia to Patchway militia base near Kadoma. He was badly beaten but later managed to escape. Kuwadzana 3 March 2002 Keresiya Ephraim (ZANU-PF) had her house stoned by MDC supporters. Thirty-two people were arrested. 9 March 2002 Twelve unnamed voters were injured when the police tried to restore order after anger erupted at extremely slow polling and excessively long queues. Unnamed assaulted and forced to go home before voting by members of ZNLWVA. 10 March 2002 Kwekwe CC was a local observer. He was allegedly assaulted with baton sticks by riot police at Kuwadzana District Office. CC sustained multiple injuries and was vomiting blood. He also had bruises all over his body. 13 March 2002 Funny Mahuni was killed en route to work (for a night shift) in Mbizo, Kwekwe. His abdomen was slit open. Mahuni had refused to allow his two daughters to attend Zanu-PF pungwe s in Mbizo. The leader of Mbizo base told him he would be killed for refusing to obey Zanu-PF orders. Lupane 4 March 2002 Nkosinesisa Mkhwananzi, and 20 other MDC polling agents were threatened with death and chased from their villages by suspected Zanu-PF and National Service youths after being appointed and trained as MDC polling agents. Mabvuku 3 March 2002 Falls Nhari (MDC candidate for ward 20 Harare) had his supermarket looted of goods worth Z$ by Zanu-PF supporters. He was later threatened with death in the presence of the police. 14

15 13 March 2002 Margaret Takaendesa, the Zanu-PF chair for the district, had her house stoned and windows broken. The durawall was also damaged with the total damage valued at Z$ Four persons were arrested, detained, charged with malicious damage to property over the incident. Makoni East 10 March 2002 Persuade Jonasi, was attacked Vengere 602 hall polling station while on duty as CIO security agent. He was left for dead and admitted to Rusape Hospital overnight. Mark Egen and Amos Kutiya, of the MDC, were attacked at Vengere 602 Hall polling station. They had their car stoned less than 500 m from the polling station while taking food to polling agents on duty. Makoni West 5 March 2002 At about 4.00 pm in Vengere Township Miss MM was seen by ZANU (PF) youths reading an MDC flyer. She was beaten up by the youths. She fled to Harare. 6 March 2002 MM was returning from Harare after receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained the previous day. She ran into the same assailants (Zanu-PF supporters)at Vengere Township who wanted to know why she had returned. After being told that she was going to die, the victim was pushed to the ground and beaten on her left arm with a blunt object. MM is now suffering from a headache and chest pains. 8 March 2002 Agnes Msaza, Mildred Simango (polling officials) and Daniel Maroso (a driver) were injured (cuts and bruises) when a lorry carrying 40 polling officials was stoned. The rear windscreen of the lorry was shattered. The attackers are suspected MDC supporters. Marondera East 1 March 2002 MM was assaulted on the way to a rally in Marondera. He was hit by stones all over the body, currently experiencing pain on the left shoulder and left arm and sustained abrasion on back. SG assaulted at Marondera Showgrounds by suspected Zanu-PF supporters for having been on his way to the aborted MDC rally. He was kicked in the mouth whilst lying down and required stitches to lower lip. CM was attacked when he stopped at Ruzawi Service Station to buy soft drinks. He was beaten with batons, and fists by suspected Zanu-PF supporters. CM also had some property stolen from him. He had come from Harare to attend the MDC Rally 15

16 MC was attacked by suspected Zanu-PF supporters at Ruzawi Service Station whilst disembarking from a commuter omnibus. He was beaten with batons and fists. Had come from Chitungwiza to attend an MDC Rally. MC sustained bruises to his shoulder. NC male victim was assaulted when disembarking from bus at Ruzawi Service Station by suspected Zanu-PF supporters. He sustained bruising to right arm and back. Had come from Harare to attend an MDC Rally. MM was assaulted by suspected Zanu-PF supporters with stones and required 8 stitches for a head injury he sustained. He is experiencing numbness and weakness to right hand and arm. A commuter omnibus conductor was assaulted at Ruzawi Service Station in Marondera when he was disembarking after he had come back from an MDC rally held in Chitungwiza. He was assaulted with baton sticks, clenched fists and an open hand. FJ was taken to a base at Nyagumbe by unknown assailants at 6.00am and was subjected to a severe assault for two hours. He was beaten with sticks on the buttocks and thighs, and was poked in the ribs. The victim was then forced to expose his feet to an open fire for nearly thirty minutes. He has suffered from pain and swelling to the left buttock and reports pain around the waist region. The victim also passed blood in his urine on the day of the assault. He was treated at Borrodaile Hospital. 2 March 2002 SK was travelling on a truck with some MDC supporters going to Marondera. They were stopped at a police road block at Ruzawi Service Station. He was beaten and then taken to a base and beaten some more. He was eventually carried away by some MDC supporters. SG aged 25 was assaulted at the Marondera Showgrounds by ZANU (PF) youths because he had attended an aborted MDC rally. He was kicked in the mouth whilst he was lying down. 4 March 2002 JK was approached by a group of approximately ten ZANU PF youths at 1945 hours. They accused his son, G.K. of being an MDC supporter. J.K was dragged into the bush and assaulted with sticks and electrical cords. He was interrogated and tortured for over an hour. The victim escaped after the youths were disturbed by the noise of wild animals in the vicinity. He sustained bruises to the knee, upper buttocks, elbow and facial region. The victim has identified three of the assailants as C.M., G.B. and M., all of whom reside in Village 34 of the Wenimbe Resettlement Scheme, the same place where the victim resides. He was treated at Borrodaile Hospital. 8 March 2002 An unspecified number of people had their IDs confiscated by a group camped near the police station FT was assaulted by soldiers on 10 March at 2300 hrs in Mupani Street in Rujeko, Dombotombo, as she was returning from a funeral. The soldiers used their hands and 16

17 guns to beat the victim, who sustained a swollen left forearm and bruises to her left buttock. The victim was treated at Borrodaile Hospital. Marondera East / West 15 March 2002 Darlington, an MDC supporter and a farmworker at Offshoot / Oxford Farm, was severely assaulted on accusations that he sympathised with the MDC. The assault took place in the early morning in the presence of Constable Chikowe of the ZRP and Obert Makiwa, a Zanu-PF supporter. Farm owner John Rutherford, was also assaulted after he was accused of ordering the destruction of farm occupiers housing on the farm and giving a cellphone to his worker so that he could tell the MDC about illegal settlers. Darlington later died en route to Marondera Hospital while Rutherford was admiited to Marondera Hospital where condition was stabilised Matobo 9 March 2002 A man was ejected from a pub after saying he hadn t voted. He was offered a lift to a polling station and threatened with assault if he didn t go. Mazowe East 2 March 2002 Rose Chinyemba (MDC district chair) had two kitchen huts torched at 8pm and her car tyres punctured by Zanu-PF supporters. The group later broke into a shop at Nyaturu township but chased off by other township residents. Mazowe West 02 March 2002 N.L (male, aged 22) was abducted from his farm compound at Ander Craigg Farm in Mvurwi and taken to the Zanu-PF base at Mutendamambo Farm where he was beaten up by a group of youths. The victim was able to name one perpetrator, Shokora, who led the group. The victim was later forced to fetch firewood and water for the perpetrators. He was left with a painful eye, and bruised buttocks after the assault. D.D. (male, aged 20) a worker at the same farm was also abducted on 02/03 and taken to the torture base at Mutendamambo Farm. He named three perpetrators as S., M. and M.C. The victim was assaulted and forced to carry firewood and water for the perpetrators. 3 March 2002 LF is a known MDC supporter and the client knows the assailants. They started assaulting him with open hands and booted feet. He was taken to the community hall (their base) were the assault continued. He was forced into the shower and then beaten whilst wet. LF was only rescued when the police came, no arrests were made. 17

18 Mbare East 3 March 2002 An unnamed female was abducted from a rally in Mbare after some MDC youths accused her of spying for Zanu-PF. She was taken to Graniteside and gang-raped. The woman was later hospitalised at Parirenyatwa. The perpetrators drove a Madza B1600 pickup. The rape was witnessed by security guards who contacted ZRP. Mhondoro 2 March 2002 A group of suspected ZANU (PF) youths and a soldier approached AM, aged 25, and his father at Marirangwe Shops demanding ZANU (PF) cards. They beat him with a log and rifle butt all over his body. They took him and dumped him about 20 km from the shops. He has abrasions and bruises on his head, thigh, back and backside. 3 March 2002 FK was attacked at his home on suspicion of having distributed MDC fliers. His house was destroyed and he does not know what became of his wife and children. 6 March 2002 M.M. at around 2 am was visited at his house by a group of fifteen Zanu-PF youths looking for his nephew. He was asked to surrender MDC t-shirts and cards. M.M. was then beaten at the gate of his house with clubs and sjamboks. He was tied up with chains and was taken to Ngoni Stadium where he was beaten for another hour before being released. He sustained lacerations and abrasions to the head and face, bruising to the back, and has a swollen left forearm. 7 March 2002 At 2am in the morning, R.M. was assaulted by a group of Zanu-PF youths at his home in Norton. He was robbed of $1,150. The victim sustained abrasions to the head, face and upper arms, and bruising and injury to the back, consistent with marks left by chains. 14 March 2002 The farmer owners of Windsor Farm in Norton were held hostage from 9.30pm until midnight by a group of about 87 settlers from the farm. They were slapped and poked with sticks. Some personal items including radios were stolen from them. The couple was rescued by neighbours. Mufakose 5 March 2002 I.M. (male, aged 28) was abducted at Caltex Corner Filling Station in Mufakose at 1pm by five men in a Toyota Venture vehicle. He was taken to Harare Showgrounds and beaten up for supporting the MDC. He was released at 4 pm. The victim suffered livid bruising to his back and has a painful left eye. 18

19 Murehwa North 4 March 2002 Paul and Kelvin Tapa were captured when they tried to release their brother, Ephraim Tapa and his wife Faith from confinement in a tin hut at Mushimbe DDF camp. Mutare Central 2 March 2002 Frank Nyagumbo was assaulted by Zanu-PF supporters for being in possession of a copy of the Daily News. Mutasa 7 March 2002 Evelyn Masaiti (MDC MP for Mutasa) was stopped by soldiers at a roadblock en route to Mangwana village. Her driver was arrested and Masaiti followed them to Ruda Police Station where the soldiers assaulted her until one of them ordered them to stop. Masaiti was investigating the arrest of 10 MDC polling agents by Ruda Police. Ten MDC polling agents were arrested under POSA at St Martins High School while gathered awaiting deployment. They were allegedly tear-gassed in police cells. Mutare lawyer Arnold Tsunga was also arrested and detained for two hours at Ruda while seeking their release. Nkulumane 1 March ZANU-PF supporters were seriously injured after being attacked by MDC youths at a funeral. The MDC youths who were travelling in a truck, descended on Zanu-PF supporters as they mourned their colleague, Simangalizwe Magegula. Nqobizita Dube was assaulted by ZANU-PF supporters after the MDC had attacked ZANU-PF youths at a funeral. Dube, who was the MDC driver, was assaulted and died as a result of the wounds. Rushinga 8 March MDC polling agents were arrested under POSA. One of numerous similar reports but no further details. Seke 4 March 2002 ET (male aged 32) was captured at Madangure Shopping Centre by Zanu-PF supporters who accused him of being a traitor. He was taken to their base and beaten with fists and kicked. The victim suffered a torn lower lip, pain and swelling in the jaw and eye region and is suffering from severe headaches. 19

20 6 March 2002 SN (male, aged 25) was walking to the shops at around 6pm. He was stopped by a group of Zanu-PF supporters who accused him of being a MDC supporter. He was dragged to their base and beaten with logs, fan belts from cars and sjamboks. He was released after a severe beating. The victim suffered swelling to the head and bruising to the back and arms. CM (male, aged 37) was accused on 06/03 by six war vets of spraying the walls of schools, churches and other places with MDC messages. He was confronted at his house at 11am and was then cut on the right forearm five times with a knife. Shamva 1 March 2002 Janet Stevens, Janet McKenzie, Andrew Fenwick, were travelling along when they Shamva Road passed through a temporary Zanu-PF roadblock, one kilometre south of Shamva. They were stopped at another road block one kilometre down the road. They were dragged out of the car and beaten with sticks. The vehicle was commandeered by the militia and the threesome were taken back to the first roadblock, where they were intimidated and subjected to physical assault, The car was ransacked, a pistol confiscated, and they were detained for five hours until the police secured their release. 3 March 2002 KF was attacked at his home in Shamva. The attackers suspected that he had been distributing MDC flyers. His house was destroyed and he does not know what became of his wife and children who have gone missing. KF has a bruise on his left shoulder and a painful right foot that is swollen. 8 March 2002 NK, RC and MK were campaigning for the MDC at Chipole Farm. They were allegedly followed by Zanu-PF supporters who threw stones at their campaign truck. The perpetrators were in vehicle with the registration number H. NK sustained injuries to his mouth and his left ear which now has reduced hearing. PJ was a polling agent deployed in Shamva. He was allegedly attacked by more than 30 Zanu-PF militia. He was hit with sticks and sustained injuries on the back of his head. 9 March 2002 Thirty unnamed MDC polling agents were assaulted with clubs and broken bottles by unknown group of people. Silobela 8 March 2002 Six unnamed MDC polling agents were injured when the Madza B2200 truck belonging to Abednigo Malinga (MDC MP, Silobela) carrying polling agents was ambushed and torched. The polling agents were stoned and they fled. They did not 20

21 sleep overnight with polling boxes which they were following to Crushers and Broomsgrove School. Zengeza 9 March 2002 Unnamed voters were forcibly dispersed and ordered to go home by the Riot Squad after some disorder at the heavily-queued polling station. Zhombe 2 March 2002 Charles Sibanda (MDC) was abducted and severely assaulted by Zanu-PF members. His body was later found had his death reported by an MDC official in Kadoma. Zvimba North 9 March 2002 Solomon Chipamawanga and two unnamed MDC polling agents were abducted from a polling station after it closed and assaulted at the ZANU-PF office in Raffingora. The ballot boxes were left unattended. Zvishavane 6 March 2002 It was reported that at Zvishavane Police Station, police officers were forced to apply for postal ballot papers. On the evening of the 6 March, the officer in command handed out ballot papers in envelopes marked with the recipients names. The officers were required to fill in the ballot paper and hand it back to the officer in command in the marked unsealed envelope. The policeman who called in was concerned that the ballot paper would be checked to see how a person had voted. The following is a report by Henry Chimbiri, Information and Publicity Secretary for Mashonaland Central province on 14 March 2002: RUSHINGA Counting Centre All polling agents from the Rushinga constituency were chased away on the counting day after verification which revealed many anomalies which were noted down by the election agent, mainly over seven ballot boxes which had problems, as the seals had been removed. The election agent informed the presiding officer to stop the opening and counting, but the presiding officer insisted on opening those ballot boxes, saying he had been given a directive from the Registrar General office to open and count, and if there was a problem MDC could proceed to court. One of our polling agents complained about the opening and was threatened with arrest. His name is Ferguson BANWA. The CIO created a story that he had a gun. He quickly disappeared from the scene and the counting continued. Some of the numbers counted did not tally with the numbers from our data forms, which were given to our polling agent as a check to avoid rigging. This check did not work as the CIO had 21

22 already stuffed some boxes with ballot papers. These numbers were so great that it was impossible to tally with the numbers on the data form. The totals on our data forms were almost but for the counting they ranged up to 27,000. The difference is irreconcilable, as we believe the polling election agent was set up to remain alone so that the Registrar-General's staff could vex him and he could not see what was happening as everybody else, including observers and journalists were chased away. In the counting room he was alone (MDC) against sixty people from the registry office, who were also responsible for 40 other boxes. There should have been 56 MDC agents in the room, one for each box. The election agent JOEL MUGARIRI was the only MDC agent in the room. Joel wrote his complaint but the presiding officer refused to accept it, or acknowledge it by signing it, and referred Joel to the registrar general. In most village polling stations, Mozambique citizens without ID cards were allowed to vote. They were brought in by lorries by MP Dokora. They were not on the voters roll. An example of such a village where the Mozambicans voted is Sadzandibaye. MT DARWIN SOUTH State agent and Zanu-PF militia harassed the election agent Mr GIFT SAMBAMA before he entered the counting centre, some 20 metres from the gate near Darwin Sports Club. They confused him by sending him from one officer to the other thereby delaying him in entering the counting room. They also threatened him with death after the counting. All polling agents from the 45 stations were chased away by the Police and state agents from the counting centre. They were vulnerable to the Zanu-PF militia from the Border Gezi camp. This resulted in them boarding buses to Harare or Bindura, running away from the militia, leaving the polling election agent alone. There were many complaints raised by these agents, especially that of the MDC SEAL MARKS AND TAPES WHICH HAD BEEN REMOVED. They threatened to arrest him if he continued complaining about irregularities and abnormalities on the boxes. He also wrote five complaints. One major complaint, which needs serious addressing, is the fact that there were two queues for the voters, one for literate and one for the illiterate The illiterate queue was the longest which was incredibly suspicious to all voters. Voters actually complained about this fact to the Police and the MDC Polling Agent Henry Chimbiri. Examples of these irregular queues are the polling stations at PFURA Hall and KANDEYA Business Centre Polling station. These had the longest illiterate queues. In most centres it was the presiding officer alone and/or a police officer assisting the illiterate. The police officers were not genuine police officers, but were either from the Border Gezi training camp, or ZANU (PF) activist or CIO in police uniform. This was definitely RIGGING. Also very serious has been the report of kidnapping of polling agents from their station who were only returned well after the ballot boxes had been opened, checked that they were empty, and closed at the beginning of the voting process. This was reported from 9 stations. Another serious problem was the movement of mobile stations. It could not be ascertained as to when they would be moving to the next station. The presiding officers complained about vehicles being in short supply and would just disappear leaving the polling agent to find his own way to the next station. Overall most people were told that they should vote on Saturday for Zanu-PF and not MDC because Tsvangirai was arrested and his whereabouts not known. So people were told they could not vote for Tsvangirai on Saturday. TOTAL VOTERS 29,000 against our, MDC data forms of 21,000 approximately. 22

23 MT DARWIN NORTH There were serious problems in this constituency. Our polling agents did not man 17 polling stations because they were kidnapped and detained for 12 hours at Katarira Primary School, which was a Zanu-PF Militia base. They were assaulted and tortured and then released after police intervention from Mukumbura Police Station. Our support group helped in deploying extra polling agents to those affected polling stations. The election agent was also detained for two hours when he was making his rounds and it was later found that in the entire constituency there were three polling stations that operated without MDC polling agents for the process. The MDC was unaware of these unlisted stations. These three stations operated as mobile stations and the figures published after the counting were horrendous and do not tally with the MDC data form figures. The election agent Mr. Langwani was detained for two hours at Mukumbura Police Station by State agents and released well after the Polling Station had closed in the evening. The MDC was not aware of the three other polling stations operating without their knowledge in this area. MUZARABANI There was a lot of violence in this area. Two of our vehicles were burned by a group of Zanu-PF militia at Utete business centre at around 3.00 pm. The MP Nobie Dzinzi, a self styled war veteran, led the group. The police officers had confiscated the car keys, and this is the reason the cars could not be moved and were damaged. Two other vehicles and their drivers were impounded by State agents and detained at Muzarabani Police Station. A further 3 vehicles were impounded that were heading for Muzarabani with approximately 27 polling agents. They were detained at Centenary Police Station for 18 hours. The Police officer in charge was Constable MBIMBI. In another incident, the election agent TIMOTHY MUKWEGWE and 5 polling agents were kidnapped when the vehicles were burned and could not be located for 20 hours. The voting process in most stations went on without polling agents. About 21 stations were without their MDC polling agents for approximately the initial five hours. These agents had been either harassed, kidnapped or assaulted. A ballot box went missing at UTETE for 4 hours with the presiding officer. When the election agent TIMOTHY MUKWEGWE was found in Centenary. He was then arrested for allegedly "burning his own vehicles" and taken to Bindura. He was in custody until Wednesday evening. He did not participate in the verification or counting process. After approximately 6 hours of counting, the State agents went and collected someone from the Centenary Police Station to replace TIMOTHY MUKWEGWE and took him to Centenary Country Club, the counting centre of the Constituency. A rescue vehicle and driver were also detained by State agents at the Centenary Country Club. The driver was arrested, and as he took the vehicle keys with him, the vehicle was stranded. 93 Polling Agents, with their leader and provincial supervisor - Mr Edwin Dzambara were chased from the counting centre and detained at Centenary Police Station. These persons were left to sleep in the open, and were dispatched to Harare by bus the following day. This was the worst constituency, which had deployed in excess of 50 State Agents. SHAMVA 1. At station 27 on 9/03/02, Mr Nicholas Goche, MP, visited the station 3 times: approx 8 am, 9 am, and 11 am. At 8 am he moved around the polling station with his men and was speaking to voters in the queue within 100m of the station. 23