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Arson attacks on ZESN observers' homes
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
May 09, 2008

ZESN is deeply concerned about the continued targeting of its accredited observers in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East by known ZANU PF supporters and war veterans for having allegedly worked with the MDC in facilitating a ZANU PF defeat in the 2008 Harmonised Election.

Reports received during the past 3 days point to arson attacks on the homes of 5 accredited observers. 3 of the cases occurred at Logan Farm about 10km from Shamva where ZANU PF supporters, particularly war veterans had been threatening to evict and burn down resettled farmers that observed the election. It is confirmed that on the 5th of May 2008 war veterans and ZANU PF supporters descended on the home of one supervisor and torched her hut destroying food reserves and furniture in broad daylight. Similar attacks followed on the huts of two other observers on the same farm on allegations that their activities on election day resulted in an MDC victory.

In Wadzanai, a residential area in Shamva, the home of another ZESN observer was extensively damaged and property destroyed when a gang of ZANU PF youth went on a rampage attacking suspected MDC sympanthisers on the eve of the 7th of May 2008. In all the incidents, the perpetrators of the acts are known ZANU PF activists that have been threatening such attacks since the announcement of election results in April. Property has been extensively damaged and food stocks have been drastically affected and the acts are particularly heinous when one considers the food crisis in the country at the moment. The police have been informed of the incidents but no arrests have been made.

The continued violation of the rights of accredited observers has extended the confiscation of accreditation cards, ZESN observers t-shirts and other identification particulars of these observers in Mutoko and Mudzi North area. The perpetrators who are also restricting movement of citizens in the area and asking people to report to their base camps include war veterans, ZANU PF youth militias and traditional leaders like the headman Chingwena of Mudzi North .

As already pointed out in earlier statements, in the absence of concrete steps by relevant authorities to weed out rogue elements perpetuating such human rights violations, the country could easily slide into a state of anarchy where victims of politically motivated violence take the law into their own hands in defence of their property and self.

The failure by the police to quickly contain the situation in Shamva where over 100 victims of arson attacks by known ZANU PF supporters have been camped at Shamva Police Station for over three days should be of serious concern to authorities that are constitutionally mandated to uphold the law and protect citizens.

ZESN observers have not engaged in any unlawful activity. They are therefore entitled to be protected by law.

ZESN calls upon ZEC, political parties and the police to swiftly revive the Inter party Liaison Committees to stem out political violence particularly in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East before more homes are destroyed and innocent citizens are displaced.

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