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Talk of 2011 elections spark violence
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
May 07, 2010

Talk of 2011 elections by the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai have sparked violence and intimidation in Marambapfungwe, a politically volatile area in the Mashonaland East province.

Reports received from Mr. Chengetai Chimunhu, the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC-T) chairman for Maraambapfungwe are that ZANU PF has relaunched "Operation Surrender" originally launched during the run up to the June 2008 election as a strategy to arm-twist MDC supporters into supporting ZANU Pf. The operation relaunched soon after Mugabe and Tsvangirai announced the posible holding of elections in 2011, allegely involves training of youths at designated bases and unleashing of violence on villagers.

Speaking to the catalyst, Mr Chimunhu said that youths in Marambapfungwe (including those who do not subscribe to ZANU PF, ideology) are forced to go for training, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings. It is also alleged that in these camps, youths are exposed to illtreatment, particularly females who are often sexually abused.

Below is a table of bases allegedly set up in Marambapfungwe:

Cases of intimidation have been on the rise ahead of the constitution outreach meetings scheduled to commence at the end of May 2010.

Other case of intimidation reported:

• On the 21st of April 2010, Amos Chabayanzara of ward 4 was forced by ZANU PF supporters to divorce his wife because she is believed to be a strong MDC supporter.
• Some village headmen have been allegedly been stripped off their titles owing to their perceived political affiliations. This has resulted in the distruction of family fabrics as the headmen are replaced by their siblings. These include Chiwenga Mutekete who was replaced by Bvumbu Mutekete; Oneas Mutate who was replaced by Edward Mutate and Abraham Nyathi who was replaced by Chu Nyathi.

Police are allegedly ignoring reports submitted by victims resulting in increased intimidation and harassment. Fears are rife that the situation will worsen after the world cup billed to take plave in South Africa from the 10th of June 2010. The matter has been reported to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC).

Commenting on the increase in cases of intolerance, politically motivated violence and intimidation, Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe highlighted that they have received worrying reports specifically from Muzarabani, Shamva and Bindura in Mashonaland central of cases of violence where close to 30 families have allegedly been displaced as a result of the perpetual intimidation. This, according to ROHR is aimed at frustrating people into inactivity and repelling them from participating in key political processes including the constitution making process and envisaged elections.

'Signatories to the inter-party agreement (IPA) agreed that following the signing of the agreement, there would be free political activity but they are not walking the talk. ZANU PF is encouraging supporters to engage in violent activities as a strategy to maintain their hold on power. The police have capacity to quell violent activities as evidenced by their response, although delayed, to the Muzarabani case where they helped re-integrate displaced families into their communities. The problem is, they are partisan and get commands from political players. In Mashonaland central, for example, Provincial Governor and resident Minister, Advocate Martin Dinha gave a directive to the police to ignore any disturbances caused by ZANU PF in the area,' said an official from ROHR

The catalyst is reliably informed that JOMIC was in Muzarabani yesterday, 06 May 2010, investigating cases of political violence reported over the past month, although outcomes of the investigations remain unknown. The committee is in Shamva today, where they are also carrying out investigations into cases of political violence.

It is the coalition's strong contention that the police should fulfill their constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order in the country and providing security to the citizenry. The constant use of the JOMIC in dealing with such disturbances is tantamount to normalising the abnormal and seeks to entrench and justify the use of violence against innocent civilians. Violence is criminal and criminals should be arrested and prosecuted.

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