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Monthly
monitoring report: May
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
June 21, 2005
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Executive
Summary
Although there has been a decline in reported cases of political
violence and associated human rights abuses compared to election
time in March, violations of human rights have not been featuring
in insignificant occurrences. The decline in the above mentioned
activities was noted especially in the southern provinces of the
country. This is not to say however that human rights abuses have
completely dissipated. As reports indicate, there still are reports
of political retribution, that have in the main, been perpetrated
by supporters of the ruling party, and, to some extent, state organs
and supporters of the country's main opposition party, the Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC).
Cases involving
members of the uniformed forces as perpetrators of human rights
violations against perceived and known opposition supporters ostensibly
to enforce the controversial clean-up campaign coined Operation
'Murambatsvina' have increased in most urban areas.
There has been
a lot of consternation as a result of the increasingly discordant
'mop-up' which has been viewed by some sections as a retributive
displacement campaign against urbanites most of whom voted for the
MDC in the March general elections. In the capital city's high density
suburb of Highfield for example, TM, a known MDC supporter was on
19 May reportedly assaulted by about a dozen police officers on
a clean-up routine in Machipisa for publicly denouncing the government's
operation. Also in Mutare Central on Africa Day, it was reported
that unidentified police details on a clean-up exercise confiscated
basic commodities belonging to CG and MM whom they accused of having
voted for the 'wrong party' during the March elections. Political
intolerance is still prevalent as our monitors' reports show. In
the Midlands city of Gweru, the MDC has been reportedly caught up
on the wrong side of the law in perpetrating acts of human rights
abuses.
I Mkoba 17 on
8 May, M, a female member of Zanu PF was reportedly forced to chant
MDC slogans by unidentified MDC activists during a development meeting
chaired by James Bwerazuva, the city's executive mayor. In an unsettling
incident in Zvishavane, on 7 May, PD, an MDC supporter had his house
set on fire at midnight allegedly by Zanu PF activists. It is said
property valued at approximately $750 000 000.00 was destroyed.
The said victim suffered burns and was admitted at a local hospital
where he was said to be recovering. It was also reported that the
police arrested GK, a suspected ruling party activist in connection
with the arson attack.
There have been
disturbing reports that MDC supporters have launched a wave of terror
campaigns against perceived or known ruling party supporters in
Mberengwa. For example, in Mberengwa West on the 25th
of May, TS, a Zanu PF supporter of Sovelele ward in Tabanyani village
was reportedly assaulted by MDC supporters who accused him of supporting
the ruling party. Also, in Mberengwa East on 11 May, MM,
a Zanu PF supporter of Mnyaka village reportedly received a threatening
letter from an MDC youth JB ‘advising’ him to renounce his Zanu
PF membership and join the MDC.
Traditional
leaders also continued to be sucked into the political fray either
as perpetrators or victims of human rights abuses. In an unbecoming
act in Chivi North for occurrence, the Madamombe village
headman on the 17th of May reportedly threatened anyone
who wanted to attend the funeral of GS, a known MDC supporter with
expulsion from the village. It is said as a result GS was given
a Mozart-like burial by his two brothers and sister.
The above incidents
serve to indicate that political violence and related human rights
violations have not been wiped out, despite official statements
from the government that they are a thing of the past.
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