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Consolidated Report for 1-15 March 2002

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Consolidated Report for 1-15 March 2002 ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT: CONSOLIDATED REPORT FOR 1-15 MARCH 2002 19 March 2002 A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Political Violence Report: Consolidated Report 1-15 March 2002 Overview The Human Rights NGO Forum has been documenting political violence since May 2000. 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 2002. 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 Political Violence Report: Consolidated Report 1-15 March 2002 Totals 1 to 15 March 2002 Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 – 15 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 Political Violence Report: Consolidated Report 1-15 March 2002 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 Political Violence Report: Consolidated Report 1-15 March 2002 • 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 $1 300. 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$33 000. 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 Political Violence Report: Consolidated Report 1-15 March 2002 • “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.
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