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Political Violence Report 1-30 November 2002
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
November 2002

Download the full document 100KB at http://www.hrforumzim.com/frames/inside_frame_monthly.htm

Overview
Violence in Insiza Constituency reportedly continued unabated in the post election period, as ZANU PF supporters and youth militia intensified their efforts to rid the area of MDC supporters. In what appears to have been a retributive exercise, ZANU PF militia in the constituency are purportedly harassing and forcing opposition supporters to denounce the MDC and join/ rejoin the ZANU PF. Political intimidation, political discrimination and death threats, are alleged to be among the weapons the ruling party supporters have taken up in a bid to punish the would be supporters of the opposition party.

There is increasing evidence that ZANU PF is manipulating the distribution of food along political lines in an effort to garner and retain political support. Reports recorded by the Human Rights Forum in September and October showed that food distribution had been politically manipulated to coerce votes from the electorate during the Rural District Council Elections and Insiza by-election respectively. In the month of October, the Human Rights Forum has documented incidents that suggest that ZANU PF, with apparent Government acquiescence, is controlling access to food aid, denying those perceived to be MDC supporters access. This is happening in the absence of a pending election.

A report by the Danish Human Rights Group - Physicians for Human Rights/ Denmark (entitled Voting ZANU PF For Food: Rural District and Insiza Elections) based on extensive interviews in Zimbabwe over the last three months, alleges that President Robert Mugabe has cut off food supplies to opponents who have challenged the power of his ruling party. It is the group’s opinion that "if it is not possible to increase non-partisan food supplies into the country, starvation and eventually death, will occur along party political lines in Zimbabwe." (A complete copy of the report can be accessed on their website).¹

In Hatfield, ZANU PF supporters were reportedly seen selling maize to Zanu PF cardholders only, while denying access to all suspected MDC supporters. LK and CM, both MC supporters from Bindura, claim that while standing in a queue to buy maize-meal, ZANU PF youths approached them and asked them why they intended to buy the mealie-meal, which only belongs to Zanu PF supporters. They claim that they were assaulted with sticks and planks. In Nkulumane, MDC National Information and Publicity Officer, J. L. Ncube, claims that ZANU PF supporters barred suspected MDC supporters from attending a meeting, where essential food commodities were being sold. In addition, a truckload of maize-meal, which was supposed to be delivered to the Nkulumane shops, was reportedly diverted by a group of war veterans to a spot where they were holding a meeting and only ZANU PF supporters were given access to the food.

Youths from the Border Gezi National Service Training Centre have reportedly been attacking MDC supporters. They allegedly descended on residents in Cashel Valley, and destroyed about ten hectares of maize crop worth thousands of dollars. The crop, which was ready for harvesting, reportedly belonged to MDC supporters. In another incident, hordes of ZANU PF youths clad in Border Gezi Training Service Centre uniforms reportedly went on a rampage assaulting members of the public and tearing up copies of the Daily News in the Masvingo.

There are ongoing reports that soldiers are harassing villagers in some parts of the country. MDC National Spokesman, Paul Themba Nyathi, claims that his party has received numerous complaints from MDC supporters in Binga that off-duty soldiers are harassing and assaulting the villagers for supporting the opposition MDC. Jelous Sansole was one of the victims. Torture cases at the hands of the police and soldiers have slightly increased from 3.8% of all politically motivated violations recorded in the month of October, to 5.1% in November.

Victimisation of teachers is reportedly continuing, with cases being reported this month in Masvingo and Beitbridge. In Masvingo, teachers claim that they are being forced to renounce their Zimbabwean Teachers Association (ZIMTA) membership and join the Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, an affiliate of the ZANU PF -backed Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Union, whose Vice President is Joseph Chinotimba. Joseph Chinotimba is the ‘self-acclaimed’ leader of the ZNLWVA. GM, a teacher at Zezani Secondary School in Beitbridge, claims that she was assaulted by a group of people who chanted ZANU PF and anti MDC slogans, on allegations of failing to attend a ZANU PF meeting held in the area.

Both the MDC and ZANU PF supporters have reportedly been perpetrators of politically motivated violence. However, for the month of November, ZANU PF supporters were alleged to have been responsible for all the politically motivated violence. Politicisation of food aid was the major form of political violence recorded, with MDC supporters having to face starvation, as war veterans and ZANU PF militia reportedly took over food distribution in most of the constituencies.

Totals 1 to 30 November 2002

Sources: Human Rights Forum legal statements, CFU reports, newspaper reports, Amani Trust medical assessments

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 – 30 November 2002

Note to the tables

Torture:
All cases of torture fall under the definition of torture according to the general definition given in the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

The four elements of torture are:

1. Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental
2. Intentionally inflicted
3. With a purpose
4. By a state official or another individual acting with the acquiescence of the State.

Those individuals referred to in point # 4 include the ZRP, ZNA, ZPS and the ZNLWVA (as a reserve force of the ZNA) and by any other grouping when directly sanctioned by the state.

Unlawful arrest and detention:
Arrest by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) with no reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed. Detention thereafter for a period exceeding 48 hours without access to redress through the courts or subsequent release without charge.

Abduction/kidnapping:
A kidnapping by a member(s) of an organised group that is not the ZRP organisation eg. Political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA

Disappearance:
Kidnapped persons whose whereabouts remained unknown at the time of reporting. Their whereabouts have still to be ascertained through follow –up reports or further investigation.

Key Abbreviations
CIO - Central Intelligence Organisation
MDC - Movement for Democratic Change
MP - Member of Parliament
NCA - National Constitutional Assembly
UMP - Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
ZNLWVA - Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
ZNA - Zimbabwe National Army
ZRP - Zimbabwe Republic Police
Zanu PF - Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front 

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