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Disturbing abuses perpetrated under Operation Mavhoterapapi
Bulawayo Agenda
May 06, 2008

Reports are being received about soldiers, the police, war veterans and Zanu PF militia deployed to various parts of rural Matabeleland. They are setting up camp in what people believe is the precursor to a systematic and well coordinated violent election campaign ahead the run-off in Zimbabwe's Presidential poll rumored to be at the of May.

Soldiers and war vets are being paid Z$1 billion dollars a day for being part of Operation Mavhoterepi.

War Veteran's pensions were increased from Z$3 billion to Z$9 billion as motivation for the campaign for Mugabe. The average civil servant earns Z$3 Billion.

Bulawayo - The distribution of maize meal in Bulawayo is now under the control of the Governor's office and war veterans. Only National Foods is milling the staple food while war veterans and Zanu Pf officials and sympathizers are responsible for distribution. Dr Sikhanyiso Duke Ndlovu and Tryphine Nhliziyo, both Zanu PF candidates are distributing maize meal in Entumbabe and Mpopoma respectively. In Nkulumane, the infamous 'White House' a war veterans' haunt is where the exercise is taken place. Those who qualify have to produce their Identity Documents a move that is feared would be abused by Zanu Pf to force them to vote their way during the run-off.

Shurugwi - Nigel Dube, a chairman of the MDC youth was beaten to death last Saturday by war veterans. He was buried on Tuesday.

Lupane - A camp comprising 68 people, mainly war veterans and militia has been set up at Makhovula (Ward 18). An army camp has also been set up at Ndlovu Secondary School in Ward 15. Teachers have fled the area leaving only the headmaster there. On 20 April the chairman of the war veterans, Zenzo Ncube, addressed a meeting where anyone who was connected to the Movement for Democratic Change was threatened. Militia came looking for the councilor who won the election in Ward 18 and he managed to escape to Bulawayo. He broke down as he related his ordeal saying that he was concerned about the safety of the family he left behind when he fled.

Dandanda - Lupane - Reports say that War Veterans and Zanu Pf militia have started beating up people in Dandanda West (Lupane West), Ndlovu Secondary School in Matshiya Ward and Gwamba Ward. A local Zanu PF official when confronted with this development has said that these are campaign teams who have sent up camp in the wards for the purposes of mobilizing the population to vote for President Mugabe during the forthcoming.

Two casualties of violence in the Lupane area are admitted at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo with serious injuries after being attacked by war veterans.

Gwanda - A meeting was held at Garanyemba on Wednesday 31 April during which Zanu PF officials and war veterans addressed the community informing them that they would be embarking on an exercise to teach people how to vote.

The commander of the Zimbabwe National Army Philip Valerio Sibanda toured the area by helicopter talking to chiefs. During the tour, the commander is said to have told Chief Mathe that they were disappointed by the way people voted and went on to say that even if Morgan Tsvangirai won the run-off the army would stage a coup to remove him.

At Ntepe the team that is to undertake the exercise of voter re-education will be camped at losing former MP Abednigo Ncube's residence and will be composed of Zanu PF officials from the provincial offices, war veterans and militia notoriously known as the Green Bombers. Those who are to lead the campaign include: War veterans Peter Ndlovu (War Vet), Dundungwane, Mdlongwa, and Mkoritshi; civilians Diba, former councillor who lost to Patrick Dube (MP) Mengezi, Christopher, Sipalatso, Senior Sobhuku (who has been terrorizing other headmen in the area).

Religious leaders throughout the country have resolved to visit torture camps to talk to soldiers, militia and Zanu PF officials manning them to try and convince them to reject violence.

Mathambo - War Vets and Militia attacked white and black farmers 40km along Vic Falls Road over the May Day holiday. Those that were being attacked re-grouped and hit back resulting in War vets fleeing with injuries. A cabinet Minister is believed to be behind the attacks. Instead, the state media claims that 2 white farmers and one black were arrested for 'attacking war veterans.'

Kezi - Militia who had been deployed are said to have broken camp after failing to convince villagers to provide them with food. When asked what their mission was, they said that they had been sent there to teach the villagers how to vote properly. The headman failed to convince the villagers that the militias were there for their own good.

Silozwe - Matopo - War Vets and militia have set up base in the Silozwe area of Matopo and information indicates that they should start operating tomorrow. The victorious local councilor from the opposition MDC Tsvangirai party and members of Matopo Agenda being among a list of people threatened with death and whose residencies bare to be burnt down. The female MDC councilor has already fled to Bulawayo to avoid capture. She has left behind a 106-year-old grandmother, who is looking after children some that are as young as one year. They are said to be sleeping on the surrounding mountains at night for fear of attacks. The councilor is suffering from a severe stress and is receiving treatment.

Bulilima and Mangwe - The Army, militia and war veterans have set up camps in Ngwanyana, Tshitshi and Masendu. In the first two areas they are said to be gathering information about opposition supporters in the area that is being provided by local Zanu Pf officials. These camps have been set up at the residences of these officials. In Masendu, some villagers have already been harassed and beaten up.

Nkayi North - The Member of Parliament for Nkayi North has confirmed that members of the army, police and militia have set up bases in most wards in the constituency as a precursor to a violent election campaign.

Hwange - Reports say that a number of people have fled the Mashala area into Hwange Town fearing reprisals from Zanu PF militia and war veterans. They are said to have taken refuge in the offices of the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice.

Ten families from Jambezi area near Victoria Falls have fled and taken refuge at Catholic Churches in Hwange.

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