Zim court asked to order closure of torture bases by Brendon Tulani Tuesday 05 August 2008

HARARE – A prominent human rights lawyer and top opposition official Douglas Mwonzora has petitioned the High Court to direct President ’s ruling ZANU PF party to close torture bases in rural Nyanga North constituency, more than 200km east of .

Mwonzora, who is Member of Parliament-elect for Nyanga North, also wants the court to order the police to dismantle all roadblocks put up by ZANU PF militia in Nyanga and that they stop war veterans from harassing and assaulting villagers or stealing livestock from members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.

The urgent court application – which highlights the immense difficulty power- sharing talks between ZANU PF and MDC face over what to do with Mugabe’s henchmen accused of masterminding political violence that has left more than 120 opposition supporters dead since last March – was filed last week. It is yet to be set down for hearing.

Mwonzora says in the application that war veterans have been demanding food from villagers to feed themselves at their “torture bases” and as “protection fees”, adding that the extortion and harassment was rife in the areas of Nyakomba, Nyamaropa, Nyadowa Clinic, Mutetwa Village Magoshe and Avilla.

“The harassments and beatings have also been extended to MDC election agents in Ward 10, Nyanga North, while an elected councillor and the elected Member of the House of Assembly representing Nyanga North have had travel restrictions in the area imposed upon them.

“At least five councilors from Wards 5, 8, 9, and 10 in Nyanga North constituency have been forced out of their homes and continue to seek refuge outside the constituency,” the court petition reads in part.

Home Affairs Minister was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

The MDC and human rights groups say political violence and rights abuses have continued especially in outlying rural areas despite ZANU PF and the two MDC parties beginning talks two weeks ago aimed at forming a government of national unity seen as the best way to end Zimbabwe’s long-running political and economic crisis.

A memorandum of understanding on talks signed by Mugabe and MDC leaders and commits all parties to “take all necessary measures to eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-state actors, and to ensure the security of persons and property.”

The talks resumed in neighbouring South Africa last Sunday after they were called off a week ago apparently because negotiators could not agree on what posts Mugabe and Tsvangirai would take in the government of national unity.

However, chief mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, denied the talks had hit deadlock and instead said the dialogue was still firmly on track and negotiators had only returned to Zimbabwe to consult their principals on ground covered so far.

Analysts say along with the issue of who will wield real power in the unity government, the issue of security for Mugabe’s followers who masterminded his violent re-election in last June’s controversial presidential run-off election and in previous polls stands out as a major stumbling block to successful dialogue. – ZimOnline