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Political violence Report – May 2004 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
July 28, 2004

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Overview
The group of ZANU PF youths from Mbare (HARARE Province) who are known as Chipangano have been consistently reported as perpetrating organised violence and torture since April 2003.¹ However no arrests or prosecution of the members of this group are on record as having taking place. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum is regards the climate of impunity that has been created for this notorious grouping with great concern. Chipangano is alleged to have been involved in several incidents of political violence, including intimidation, assault, forced displacement and property damage, in May 2004. The Chipangano group allegedly invaded the venue for an MDC rally in Mbare East constituency (Harare PROVINCE) on 16 May 2004 and attacked the MDC supporters who had gathered for the rally. The group is alleged to have also carried out attacks after the rally against those that had attended it. TCM alleges that Amos Nyakudya, Makuwatsine, Gonzo and other ZANU PF youths belonging to the Chipangano group beat him at his house on allegations of being an MDC supporter. EM claims that her property was destroyed and he was displaced by ZANU PF supporters because he had attended the MDC rally. NM and other MDC supporters were allegedly beaten by ZANU PF youths belonging to Chipangano because they were seen putting up posters calling for the MDC meeting in Mbare East constituency. The Chipangano youths allegedly followed them to their homes later at night, destroyed their property, and then forced them to leave, saying that Mbare was not a place for MDC supporters.

Zimbabwean citizens continue to have their rights to political participation violated, including the "right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to political parties" and the "right not to be compelled to belong to an association."² Victimisation of persons for attending rallies held by the opposition is a worrying development ahead of the March 2005 Parliamentary Elections as this inevitably affects the ability of opposition political parties to campaign freely. The Human Rights Forum urges the Government and its law enforcement agencies to redress the situation and create an environment in which all political parties can campaign freely. This is of particular importance bearing in mind that "the free expression of the will of the people is contingent as much upon the ability of political parties to campaign freely without fear of retribution as it is on the integrity of the polling and counting processes.³"

Members of the Chipangano group and other ZANU PF supporters reportedly victimised MDC supporters and civilians in Mbare East constituency (Harare PROVINCE), on allegations of having attended an MDC rally in the area on 16 May 2004. In Mbare West (Harare PROVINCE), TG of Tagarika Flats in Mbare claims that her husband was also attacked by ZANU PF supporters on allegations that he had attended an MDC rally in the area. When TG's husband fled, the ZANU PF activists purportedly returned to the home, assaulted TG, and stole some of her household property. AP claims that Constables Chikadza and Njani and other police officers arrested him, detained him at Harare Central Police Station and severely assaulted him during his period of detention because he had also attended the MDC rally.

MDC supporters that attended a rally in Chendambuya, Makoni North constituency (MANICALAND Province) were also reportedly victimized on this basis. TAM, MDC chairperson in the area, claims that at around 12 midnight ZANU PF youths went to her house and accused her of attending the MDC rally. They went on to burn her granary, which had maize stored in it, and then assaulted her. BM alleges that Thomas, Khumalo and other ZANU PF supporters abducted him and severely assaulted him because he attended the rally at Chendambuya. DC of Kasimu village and MM purport that they were also abducted by the ZANU PF supporters on allegations of having attended the MDC rally in Chendambuya. DC claims that the youths set his house on fire and then took him to Makombe Business Centre where other MDC activists who had been abducted were being kept. They were released the following morning having been assaulted through the night. They reported the matter to Headlands Police Station.

Totals: 1 May 2004 - 31 May 2004

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2004 – 31 May 2004

1 see Political Violence Report - April 2003; Political Violence Report - June 2003; Political Violence Report - July 2003; Political Violence Report - November 2003; Political Violence Report - February 2004; Political Violence Report - March 2004 and Political Violence Report - April 2004 all by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
2 section 21 (1), (2) of the Zimbabwean Constitution
3 Zimbabwe Presidential Election 9 to 11 March 2002: Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group by the Commonwealth Secretariat, March 2002.

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