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Political Violence Report 1-30 April 2003 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
May 19, 2003

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Overview
The Parliamentary by-elections held in Kuwadzana and Highfield on 29 and 30 March 2003 resulted in organised violence and torture (OVT) within the two areas persisting as civilians, ZANU PF and MDC supporters reportedly descended on and victimised each other for allegedly voting for one political party and not another. Of the political parties in the Zimbabwean political arena, only members from the ruling ZANU PF and the opposition MDC were identified as being victims and perpetrators of political violence during the run up to and the period following the by-elections. Coupled with the MDC mass stay away on 18 and 19 March 2003, as well as the ZCTU mass stay-away on 23 - 25 April 2003, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum documented a number of politically motivated violations for the month of April.

In one case, Richard Munthuli of Bulawayo allegedly grabbed and raped a woman as she passed through the Davies Hall. He allegedly raped her because he was not pleased with the by - election results in Kuwadzana and Highfield, in which the opposition MDC won the two contested seats. ZANU PF youths allegedly arrived at the home of one MDC election agent for Kuwadzana claiming to be policemen, broke down the door, and assaulted the victim and his wife on allegations of voting for the opposition MDC in the parliamentary by-election. They are said to have slapped the husband and raped the wife while he watched.

Richard Tonderayi Machiridza, an MDC supporter from Chitungwiza, was reportedly murdered by police officers and soldiers on suspicion of perpetrating violence during the 18-19 March 2003 stay-away. The officers allegedly assaulted him severely and banged his head against the wall. He died on 18 April 2003. LM of Budiriro also purported that plainclothes policemen assaulted, arrested, and detained him for two days at Machipisa Police Station on suspicion that he was behind the burning of a ZUPCO bus which occurred on 18 March 2003 during the MDC stay-away, and that he had taken part in organising the stay-away. He sustained broken fingernails, welts on his back and bruises on the feet. In Epworth, CN alleged that a group of about 10 soldiers bundled her into a truck, took her to a secluded spot and raped her on accusations of burning a ZUPCO bus during the 18-19 March 2003 mass stay-away. She claims that her assailants threatened her with unspecified action if she reported the matter to the police.

Following the MDC call for a mass stay-away, the ZCTU also called for another on 23, 24, and 25 April 2003. This also resulted in many incidents of OVT in many areas. For example, in Chitungwiza, Mutare and Mabvuku, residents reported that state agents were assaulting them indiscriminately on accusations of heeding to the ZCTU call for a mass stay-away. Peter Mlambo and other residents of Seke purported that soldiers rounded them and beat them up because they were seen roaming around during those three days, and that they were not at work. John Badza of Mabvuku claims that during the same period, soldiers ambushed him and demanded to know why he was walking about during the time he was supposed to be at work.

The Public Order And Security Act Chapter 11:17¹ and the Miscellaneous Offences Act have apparently remained the cause for the arrest of most victims who have fallen to victimisation by state agents in the month of April, especially the police. In the month of April, more than 60 MDC supporters attending the funeral of Richard Tonderayi Machiridza were reportedly arrested by police officers and were charged under section 7(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act². Machiridza died on 18 April 2003 after he was allegedly severely tortured by the police on allegations of perpetrating violence during the MDC mass stay-away on 18 and 19 March 2003.

Paul Themba Nyathi, MDC spokesman, was reportedly charged under Section 5 which states that any person who intentionally recruits or encourages any other person to undergo training inside or outside Zimbabwe, in order to commit an act of insurgency, banditry or sabotage, shall be guilty and liable to life imprisonment. The Forum recorded that Paul Themba Nyathi was arrested under Section 5 after the police searched his home without a warrant and confiscated congratulatory documents for the MDC victory in the parliamentary by-elections held in Kuwadzana and Highfield.

Overall, political violence and torture around the country continues to be perpetrated around elections and mass stay-aways, although in other cases, incidents have reportedly occurred on the mere suspicion that one belongs to a political party which the assailant does not support. JR, TC, LR, PK and IM of Chitungwiza, were reportedly assaulted by ZNA forces at their homes, because they belong to MDC. In Mbare, the Chipangano, a ZANU PF group, reportedly harassed vendors from Kuwadzana and Highfield at the market stall and ordered them not to sell their wares there because they had voted for the opposition MDC in the parliamentary by-elections.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum continues to condemn all forms of political violence and torture, as well as the use of force by state agents, MDC supporters and ZANU PF supporters to harass, intimidate, victimise, torture, and assault victims.

Totals 1 April 2003 – 30 April 2003

Sources: The information contained in the monthly violence reports is derived from statements made to the Legal Unit of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum, CFU reports, newspaper reports, and statements taken by the member organisations of the Human Rights Forum.

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. political party, ZNLWVA, ZNA, MDC, Zanu PF etc

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.

Property related

These are incidents in which property rights have been violated. This includes arson, property damage and destruction and theft.

Key Abbreviations

CIO – Central Intelligence Organisation
MDC – Movement for Democratic Change
MP – Member of Parliament
NAGG - National Alliance for Good Governance
NCA – National Constitutional Assembly
OVT – Organised Violence and Torture
POSA – Public Order and Security Act
PTUZ – Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
Zanu PF – Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front
ZNA – Zimbabwe National Army
ZNLWVA – Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
ZRP – Zimbabwe Republic Police
ZIMTA – Zimbabwe Teachers Association
ZUPCO – Zimbabwe United Passenger Company

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