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Stop violence - a call for immediate restraint
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
March 12, 2003

Harare - Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) condemns the continued rising wave of political violence and police bias in Zimbabwe today. We further condemn immunity from prosecution given to some Zanu PF supporters who commit political violence crimes. This is primarily the reason why political violence is sky-rocketing. We condemn in the strongest terms, the torture and assault of Mr Chengetai Chimunhu of Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe on the 10th of March, 2003, at 2200 hours. Mr Chimunhu was attacked by known Zanu PF supporters and war veterans. According to statements and affidavits deposed under oath given to ZimRights, Mr Chimunhu was assaulted and his home destroyed by Lancelot Karega, Cephas Chiota, Raphael Kabaira, Rogers Mapeto, Cramson Marau, Tiripano Mutate and Aleck Mbofana. Mr Chimunhu who sustained serious injuries was hospitalised on the 12th of March 2003. It is prima facie clear and known beyond any reasonable doubt that the perpertrators are Zanu PF supporters. Government inaction which has allowed violence to continue with impunity has condoned lawlessness. President Mugabe's failure to intervene to protect innocent Zimbabweans from the terror mounted by Zanu PF supporters has made him vicariously liable of a succession of crimes. An incursion of violence has recently been recorded in Buhera, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, Highfields and Kuwadzana yet the Government keeps quiet.

ZimRights continue receiving reports of unrelenting intimidation of opposition supporters in the hands of youths and militia groups which have been established in communities all over the country for the express aim of thwarting dissent. he links between these militia-groups and Zanu PF are solid and their actions are coordinated. There is mounting evidence that influential Zanu PF party members have been involved in inflaming and inciting violence. The assailants of Mr Chimunhu openly stated that they will never be prosecuted because of their allegiance to the ruling party. Whilst there is concern that some members of the opposition have been engaged in violence, sometimes in retaliation, there is no evidence that these are of high magnitude to that reflected by the ruling party.

It is sad to note that citizens are being targeted and harassed because of their political affiliation. Active political participation is legal in Zimbabwe considering that freedom of association and assembly is a legal right. Peace and justice can only be achieved when there is political will to deal with lawlessness and conditions created whereby every one enjoys his or her civil and political rights.

ZimRights calls upon His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe to take immediate action to restore peace in this country. We believe that it is well within his powers and capacity to do so. The security of the ordinary person is no longer guaranteed. Basic fundamental freedoms have been totally eroded and the patience of the citizenry has been far too stretched. As a grassroots-based organisation ZimRights will be left with no choice but to call for popular civil disobedience as a way of calling for the restoration of good governance, law and order in Zimbabwe. We therefore call upon the President of Zimbabwe to ensure the following:

1. ensure restoration of peace and order in the country through the respect of the rule of law
2. ensure the guarantee of fundamental rights, more particularly the respect of the principle of universal and equal suffrage, freedom of expression, association and assembly.
3. ensure that there is a full and unbiased investigation into reports of political disorder and citizen beating, identify those responsible and evenly (impartially) apply the relevant penal, administrative and civil sanctions as provided by the law.
4. the known assailants of Mr Chimunhu must be prosecuted.

Munyaradzi Bidi
National Director

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