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South African National Assaulted in Marondera
Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe
March 30, 2005

A South African national, Virginia Zwane, was today physically and sexually harassed and assaulted, allegedly by Zanu PF youth militias in Marondera town about 60km east of the capital Harare. Zwane was traveling in a bus from Marondera to Harare. She is part of a church delegation that is in Harare for an Easter exchange programme.

Narrating her ordeal at the hands of the youth militias, who were clad in civilian clothing, Virginia told the Coalition that the youths, numbering six, stopped the bus just outside Marondera and started to harass passengers. The youths then started to chant Zanu PF slogans in the bus before they accused Virginia of not responding.

They demanded Rands from her, she alleged. Virginia also narrated how one of the youths ransacked her handbag searching for the Rands and found nothing.

It is here that one of them held her by the legs whilst she was lying on her back. She further alleged that one of militias held her by the hands while the other one was forcibly kissing her. All this was happening in the full view of other passengers who could not help her in any way, Zwane said. She alleged that one of the youths took away her wedding ring. The lady was only saved from further abuse by one of the youths who ordered his friends to leave her alone since she had no Rands on her, she told the Coalition.

The alleged incident puts a dent on Zanu PF's claims that it has complied with the SADC principles and guidelines governing the conduct of democratic elections.

At the time of issuing the statement, she was getting assistance from the Evangelical Support Services (ESS) in Harare. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights was also assisting her to report the matter to the police.

Crisis Coalition is a conglomeration of civic organizations fighting for human rights and good governance in Zimbabwe.

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