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Political violence Report – April 2004 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
June 09, 2004

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Overview
Inter-party violence continued to prevail throughout April 2004 and in addition disturbing incidents of intra-party political violence were also recorded in St Mary’s. Incidents of political violence also continue to be reported in areas and at times when there are no elections or by-elections being held or immediately pending. In Shurugwi (MIDLANDS PROVINCE) IM, a MDC supporter, reported that Daniel Nyevera and other ZANU PF supporters closed down her shop because she previously contested for the position of Councillor on a MDC ticket. They are said to be visiting her home, threatening her and her children with death. MM claims that ZANU PF supporters displaced him from Shurugwi on allegations of being a MDC activist. He alleges that he was also ordered to join the National Youth Service Training program and was threatened with death when he refused to do so. An environment prevails in Zimbabwe in which political violence has seemingly become a "normal" way of life.

In a display of unwarranted excessive use of force, LTC, a former General Secretary of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and a human rights activist was reportedly arrested and severely assaulted by police officers at Mt Pleasant Hall in Harare Central (HARARE PROVINCE), where he had gone to give a speech at the Education Rights Forum. LTC was reportedly struck in the face with open palms and clenched fists, and kicked in the back. The police officers are then said to have forced LTC into the Hall where other officers and security guards were waiting. For about 10 to 15 minutes they reportedly took turns to beat him before making him lie on his back and assaulting him with a broomstick as well as kicking him with booted feet. He was then ordered to kneel and was further assaulted on the ribs. He asserts that at Marlborough Police Station, to which he was subsequently taken, he was verbally abused, threatened with electrocution, kicked with booted feet in the face and on the mouth, and then accused of being drunk as he could not hold a steady posture as a result of the beatings.

While it is acknowledged that law enforcement agents may in certain instances find it necessary to resort to the use of a reasonable level of force in the exercise of their duties, the Human Rights Forum condemns the use of excessive force that is habitually used by officers of the ZRP when dispersing and arresting members of civil society gathered at meetings or participating in demonstrations. None of the force used in the arrest of LTC, as described above, was reasonable or necessary. We urge the police to desist from excessive use of force when making arrests and dispersing gatherings and to adhere to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials which urge the application of non-violent means "as far as possible before resorting to the use of force." Furthermore we urge the relevant Ministry to ensure that police officers adhere to professional and restrained behaviour when carrying out investigations, making arrests or dispersing gatherings.

Post-election retribution, a well-established phenomenon associated with elections in Zimbabwe and documented by the Human Rights Forum since the June 2000 Parliamentary elections¹, was recorded following the holding of the Zengeza by-election on 27 and 28 March 2004. EG and AK, MDC supporters, purport that they were assaulted by Muzambi and other ZNA officers because they participated in the Parliamentary by-election campaign in Zengeza. JR’s home was also allegedly stoned by ZANU PF youths for his participation in the Zengeza by-election campaign on behalf of the MDC. MM, a MDC activist, claims that ZANU PF supporters assaulted him because he campaigned for the MDC before the Zengeza Parliamentary by-election. The Human Rights Forum reiterates its concerns regarding the impact that such incidents have on the prospects for free and fair elections in March 2005. Citizens should be free to belong to any party of their choice and campaign for any party of their choice without fear or reprisal.

Evelyn Masaiti, MDC MP – Mutasa (MANICALAND PROVINCE), Henry Chimbire, Stanford Bote and Zvamaida Nyaruwata were arrested on 17 April 2004 by police officers manning a roadblock in Mabvuku at about 12:00 hours. The group was travelling back to Harare from Mutasa where they had attended the memorial service for Ben Mwamuka, MDC Chairman for Mutasa District. Masaiti purports that they were accused of having brought MDC youths to Harare to cause chaos and of organising football matches in Mabvuku for MDC youths who later destroyed and looted property from a shop belonging to Sekesai Makwavarara, former MDC member and the Acting Executive Mayor for Harare. Masaiti asserts that she had no knowledge of the planned football matches which MDC youths in the area were holding.

Takesure Mushavire was reportedly arrested while having a drink at Mazodza Bottle Store around 12 midnight and assaulted him with clenched fists during the effecting of his arrest. He claims that the police beat him with fists and kicked him with booted feet all over the body, drove him around Mabvuku for about an hour, and then took him to Mabvuku Police Station, whereupon they further beat him with baton sticks. He alleges that he was forced to admit that he belonged to the MDC and that he was an accomplice of Masaiti in organising the soccer match in Mabvuku and in the looting of Makwavarara’s shop. Mushavire, who claims to be apolitical, denies the allegations as he and Masaiti had been arrested at different times and under different circumstances.

Oscar Pemhiwa, MDC Harare City Councillor for Mabvuku, was reportedly later arrested while relaxing with friends at Matongo Shopping Centre in Mabvuku, but was grouped together with Masaiti and accused of committing the same offence. The group was reportedly beaten by police at Mabvuku Police Station on accusations of inciting violence amongst the MDC youths who had gathered in Mabvuku that afternoon. It is reported that Detective Inspectors Dhowa and Dhliwayo took them to Harare Central Police Station the following day, 18 April 2004, where they spent the night. Statements were taken from the group the following morning (19/04/2004). The group was only taken to court on 21 April 2004, 5 days after their arrest, and they were charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) for inciting public violence. They claim that during their stay in holding cells they were assaulted, given no food and forced to sleep in filthy cells. It is reported that Masaiti is taking legal action against the Minister of Home Affairs, Kembo Mohadi for unlawful detention.

Totals: 1 April 2004 – 30 April 2004

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2004 – 30 April 2004

1 For more details see:

• Who Was Responsible? Alleged Perpetrators during the 2000 Parliamentary Election Period;
• Are They Accountable? Examining alleged violators and their violations pre and post the Presidential Election March 2002;
• Political Violence Report: The Campaign of Recrimination - 16-31 March 2002 and
• Monthly Political Violence Report - October 2002

all by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

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