Constituency Electoral Environment Review Bikita West Constituency

1. Introduction

Bikita West constituency (in , ) is scheduled to hold a by election on January, 21st 2017. The constituency fell vacant after Dr Munyaradzi Kereke was convicted for rape and sentenced to 10 years in prison. As aspiring candidates and parties mount their campaigns, Heal is greatly concerned about prevailing human rights violations and violence manifesting in the constituency. The situation is disheartening given that the constituency once had one of the most violent by-elections in 2001 pitting MDC and ZANU PF. This review, therefore, is a reflection of the constituency’s electoral environment. The review details the constituency’s past electoral environment, violations and predicts possible developments in the upcoming elections. Violence actors, scenarios and actors are also discussed.

Six candidates are vying for the Parliamentary seat. These are Beauty Chabaya (ZANU PF), Kudakwashe Gopo (ZimPF), Madock Tatirai Chivasa (NCA), Tanyaradzwa Terrence Makumbo (PDZ) and two independent candidates Heya Shoko and Innocent Muzvimbiri.

2. Historical Electoral Environment and Violence Actors.

Bikita West constituency is a political hotbed in Masvingo Province. The constituency experienced political violence and gross human rights violations since the year 2000 during parliamentary elections pitting ZANU PF and the then newly formed opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Periods 2001, 2005, 2007-09 and 2013 are unforgettable depressing electoral episodes for the Bikita West residents as violence and gross violations haunted them (2001 and 2008 elections recorded highest incidences of

1

violence). Major perpetrators of violence since 2000 to 2013 include; the late Chenjerai Hunzvi (the then War Veterans Leader), Colonel Claudious Makova and Hon MP .

The perpetrators of violence featuring in most electoral violence records in Bikita West constituency since 2000 include; the late Chenjerai Hunzvi, Francis Zimuto (aka Black Jesus), Elias Musakwa, Chomunorwa Taruona, Munhande, Phillip Dliwayo, Blessing Chinondiwana, Jeppy Jaboon, Nhongonhema, Mashanda, and Jabulani Sibanda.

3. Bikita West Constituency: Torture Bases

2001 Bikita West Parliamentary By Election.

Following the death of Munyaradzi Mutongi, an MDC elected MP in 2001, a by-election was held in Bikita West. Boniface Pakai (MDC-T) and Retired Colonel Claudious Makova 2

(ZANU PF) contested the seat and running up to the by-election day, violence was rife. MDC claim that some of its supporters were abducted, killed and dumped at Gonarezhou National Park while John Garandiya, an MDC activist was also shot in the leg at Nyika Growth point by suspected ZANU PF youth. Torture bases were established in areas such as Pachinhamo Shops, Bikita Fashi Secondary school, Maregere Business Centre and at Nyika Growth Point, Bengura and Schools. The torture base at Nyika Growth Point was coordinated by former war veterans’ leader, Chenjerai Hunzvi while the base at Maregere Business Centre was coordinated by Christen Mashanda and Philip Ticharava. Violence was sustained by the youths and war veterans deployed by the late Border Gezi the then Minister of Youth and ZANU PF Political Commissar. The teams were deployed to harass opposition members and created a no go area zone for the opposition.

In one incident, members of the opposition were arrested for allegedly murdering a ZANU PF supporter Bernard Gara also known as Steven Bernard Gwanda1 at Business Centre on December 30, 2000. Gara (who had defected from the MDC to join ZANU PF) died after attacks at a time the MDC had deployed its own youths to protect its supporters.2

On December 17, 2000, 50 opposition members were reportedly injured during interparty clashes.3 Two MDC MPs, Rensom Gasela and Willias Madzimure were injured in some of the interparty clashes while a motor convoy was petrol bombed.4 Manyame Ropafadzo an MDC supporter was murdered on 6 January 2001 while Ziweni Osborn was shot and killed on 18 August 2001 in Bikita West.5

In their February 2001 Political Violence Report, Human Rights NGO Forum documented 21 cases of torture during the Bikita West by-election. "..The main forms of torture involved beatings, falanga, sexual torture, suspension, hooding, suffocation, and burning with cigarettes. Falanga’ refers to beatings on the soles of the feet and this is of considerable concern since this form of torture leads to pronounced disability with continuous pain...”6 The

1 IRIN News (2001) Eight People Arrested in Bikita West Violence : http://www.irinnews.org/report/16492/zimbabwe-eight-people-arrested-bikita-west-violence 2 Pete, B. (2001) MDC Candidate Halts Campaign for Fear of Life: IOL News http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/mdc-candidate-halts-campaign-for-fear-of-life-58552 3 Public Library of US Diplomacy (2000) Zimbabwe Ruling Party Cranks Up Intimidation for New By-Election https://www.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/00HARARE7164_a.html 4 British Home Office (2004) Zimbabwe Country Report April 2004: Country Information and Policy Unit Immigration and Nationality Directorate Home Office, United Kingdom. 5 Zimdualvoice (November 2011) Mugabe’s Legacy of Violence: https://zimdualvoice.blogspot.com/2011/11/mdc-of-honour-mugabes-legacy-of.html 6 Human Rights NGO Forum (2001) Political Violence Report for January 2001. Human Rights NGO Forum 3

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada also noted that approximately 200 secret security agents and 1 800 support personnel was deployed to Bikita West ahead of the elections as part of ZANU PF elections taskforce. On the 2 polling days, 300 War Veterans were stationed at Jaravaza Polling Station in the same constituency.7

Major violations were committed under the guard of the late Chenjerai Hunzvi, Joseph Chinotimba and Francis Zimuto (aka Black Jesus), violations were committed through beating and displacing suspected opposition members, occupying commercial farms and Bikita Minerals plant, as well as forcing people to surrender their national identity cards or confiscation. Other violations also included; threatening chiefs with removal from office, forcing people to attend night vigils and rallies, burning with cigarettes, beating with riffle buts and assault on testicles.

2005 Parliamentary Elections

In 2005, Colonel Claudious Makova (ZANU PF) contested again for the Parliamentary seat against Alex Ziki (MDC-T). Colonel Makova won the election albeit under a violent campaign as he had done in the 2001 by election. Many houses belonging to opposition supporters were burnt and several opposition party supporters were assaulted.

2008 Harmonised Elections

In 2008, violence was rife again in Bikita West, as was the case in 2005, 2001 and 2000. Heya Shoko (MDC-T) and Elias Musakwa (ZANU PF) squared off. In the run up to the election, several cases of voter intimidation were recorded in the constituency. Major General B. R. was deployed to Bikita West Constituency as part of the countrywide deployment of army personnel “to spearhead an orgy of violence while drumming up support for President ahead of the anticipated run-off presidential elections in June 27, 2008.8

Terror bases were set up in different wards. In Ward 9, Majembere Grounds hosted a terror base in Bikita West. This base was led by Munhande (then Councillor), Phillip Dliwayo (then

7 Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (2002) Zimbabwe: By-election held in Bikita West, Masvingo province and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) supporter's death on 30 December 2000 in the Baradzanwa Business Centre (December 2000): http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4becf14.html 8 Ofori-Atta, P. (2008) Mugabe Sends Troops to Start Violence to Back State of Emergency. Afrik News http://www.afrik-news.com/article13135.html 4

ZANU PF Ward Chair), and Blessing Chinondiwana (Vice Ward Chair then). In Ward 13, Mashanda, an office holder at ZANU PF Nyika Post led a terror base which was located in Nyamushiri Village Ground next to the Provincial Heroes Acre. Jeppy Jaboon (then Bikita Political Commissar) and Nhongonhema (held a position in ZANU PF at ward level) were also among the perpetrators who tormented people at this base.

The Police also colluded with ZANU PF to restrict freedom of political participation, assembly and expression. In March 2008, student activists Madock Chivasa, Hillary Zhou, Farirai Mageza, Simbai Chivasa, Tapiwa Mushati, Andrew Madziwa, and Vincent Chimwami, a Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist were arrested and detained at Nyika Police Station while distributing election campaign materials for a student campaign urging youths to vote. Simbai and Madock Chivasa, Mageza and Madziwa were seriously injured and also sustained dog bites. They received medical attention at Nyika Clinic.9 In a separate incident, after elections, on 4 September 2009, Joseph Munyuki died at Masvingo Hospital after being attacked by a ZANU PF youth, Bernard Nyangara on the 8th of August 2009 in Nyangara Village.10

2013 Elections

Between 2010 and 2012, War Veterans led by Jabulani Sibanda launched a political "re- education" campaign which forced villagers to flee their community. They were reminded of the 2008 violence as Sibanda threatened that “2008 was just a ‘piece’ of what was to come and that ‘blood will flow’, and that those who sideline ZANU PF should prepare for death.”11

Intraparty violence also affected the community as Elias Musakwa battled with Munyaradzi Kereke for the seat. In 2013, in Nenharira Village, Elias Musakwa’s supporter named Tsvuru Gurwe, moved around villages intimidating people telling them that he will track them down after elections. In Zodovari and Duma, villagers were told to go and vote under the arms of their headman. Some were also told to feign illiteracy so that they can get help. ZANU PF youths including Zvoto and Zindoga compiled a register they were to use to target voters if

9 New Zimbabwe (2008) Incidents of Political Violence: http://thezimbabwean.co/2008/04/incidents-of- political-violence/ 10 MDC (2009) Another MDC Activist Dies in Hospital After Being Assaulted by a ZANU PF Supporter. MDC The Changing Times 11 Booysen, S. (2012) Change and ‘New’ Politics in Zimbabwe: Interim Report of a Nationwide Survey of Public Opinion in Zimbabwe –June – July 2012. 5

their party loses elections.12 Some village heads, for instance, in ward 32, held meetings where villagers were told to be assisted to vote by their Village Heads if they want a peaceful environment after elections.13

4. Nature of Electoral Related Violations Experienced

Some of the violations experienced in Bikita West in the past (since 2000) include:

 Assault  Displacement  Property invasion (commercial farms and Bikita Minerals plant)  Forced surrendering of National Identity Cards (IDs) or their confiscation,  Intimidation (chiefs were threatened with removal from office,  Forced attendance to rallies and night vigils  Torture (burning with cigarettes, beating with riffle buts and assault on testicles)  Abductions  Murder (by shooting or beating with weapons and clenched fists and boots)

5. Upcoming Elections: What to Look Out For: As campaigns continue ahead of the 21st of January 2017 by election, Heal Zimbabwe observed harvesting of fear given the past history of the constituency. Communities are being intimidated and mostly by being reminded of the past violence. Violations recorded in November 2016 also indicated that there was high level of intimidation constituting 47.37%, followed by unfair distribution of aid (mainly food and farming inputs) with 26.32%. The least recorded violations include forced attendance to political rallies and assault, each case recording 5.26% of the total violations. Partisan distribution of public resources including food and farming inputs is a new violation compared to those recorded in the 2000 -2008 electoral episodes.

12 Masiyiwa, G (2013) Kereke/Musakwa Feud Threatens to Plunge Bikita West into Violence. https://ourvoiceourlifestory.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/kerekemusakwa-feud-threatens-to-plunge-bikita-west- into-violence/ 13 CCJP (2013) The Catholic Observer Election Observation Report for 2013 Harmonised Elections Zimbabwe. Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice 6

It is good to note that violations that featured most in the past elections and by-election are not repeated in this upcoming by-election. Kidnappings, murder, torture, forced displacement are some of the violations. Nonetheless, any form of violation is unacceptable.

Therefore, Heal Zimbabwe implores the Government and state security apparatus to prevent any form of violence and human rights violations by protecting citizens and ensuring that all contesting parties abide by the laws of the country and ethical electoral practices.

6. Conclusion Heal Zimbabwe concludes that the upcoming Bikita by-elections is less likely to be violent to the magnitude of the past elections. The violations recorded in November 2016 mirrors low level violence and violations mainly manifesting through intimidation, partisan distribution of food aid and farming inputs as well as destruction of campaign material. However, the past elections that were most violent in Bikita West involved abductions, murder cases, assault, torture and mass displacement of voters.

7