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An urgent call for action in Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
July 25, 2011

"The Political Agreement you are talking of only exists in those books you are giving us and in Harare probably. Here we are yet to see the deliverables of the so called Government of National Unity . . . ." one of the survivors of political violence narrating at a discussion after the memorial services in Uzumba on 23 July 2011

In ward 11 Chure village in Uzumba to date 3 years after the signing of the Global Political Agreement survivors of political violence are living in an agonizing captivity. Martha Matashu ( not real name) lost her husband to political violence on 29 May 2008 when he was assaulted to death at his home by a group of close to 300 people. They killed him by severely and indiscriminately assaulting him and his wife before taking turns to crush his fingers and toes to pulp. The final blow which killed him came from a close relative who crashed his head with a boulder. Three days before the assault, Matashu's husband had been severely assaulted at a base at Kachombo business centre where he and his wife were forced to surrender their MDC membership.

Three years later in a Zimbabwe which celebrated 31 years of independence from colonialism, Mrs Matashu cannot leave her home, receive visitors or make any contact with people before informing the ZANU PF ward chairman of all her movements. And this is a free Zimbabwe whose Government according to Articles 6 and 18 of the Global Political Agreement respectively pledged to:

"create an environment of tolerance and respect among Zimbabweans and that all citizens (Martha included) are treated with dignity and decency irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin, or political affiliation" and to "work together to ensure the security of all persons and property"

18 people were killed in Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe during the 2008 election violence. Horrendous narratives of brutality were mainly reported in Pfungwe. An assessment by Heal Zimbabwe revealed that the communities are still in a state of hostage and the high sounding wishes and promises contained in the Global Political Agreement remain a pipe dream. It is not a coincidence that the notorious army General, Douglas Nyikayaramba and the dreaded Zimbabwe Prisons Commissioner Paradzai Zimondi hail from this part of Zimbabwe.

Two women, Grace Chari and Stella Karimatsande were gruesomely murdered in Uzumba and Pfungwe respectively when the perpetrators failed to locate their husbands. These gruesome acts were also reported in other areas where women were used as bait to get to the husband, some were raped, seriously assaulted as revenge of the missing husband. Close to ten women were allegedly sexually harassed by a member of the uniformed force identified as Claudius Mashoko who was stationed in Pfungwe under the Maguta project. In spite of the undertaking by Government through article xviii of the Global Political Agreement to expedite the prosecution of perpetrators of violence, Claudius Mashoko is still yet to face prosecution and the survivors of the violence continue to face further harassment.

Villagers in the strictest confidence and most secretive of disclosures narrate how in Pfungwe at one of the bases close to Museka primary school everyone was forced to attend the night vigils with suspected MDC supporters being assaulted in front of everyone as a way of "teaching them a lesson". After the assaults, a decision was made towards the June 2008 election run- off that all suspected MDC members were to have their own polling station at Gowe business centre where more than 1 200 victims came to vote. Many were limping, some were in bandages, some in wheel barrows, on crutches, others in scotch carts. They had to vote regardless of the fact that most of them were battling for their lives as a result of the beatings. This was the only way ZANU PF could guarantee that getting a 100% vote in its favor.

Can elections be possible under these conditions? With communities so traumatized, can they freely participate in an election and celebrate the freedom and independence to elect leaders of their choice? Can we not change the mentality of our leaders and their political parties to realize that power resides in the ordinary citizens of this country?

And for how long shall we continue to write these stories and wallow in self pity? Can SADC be more Zimbabwean than the Zimbabweans themselves?

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