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Political violence report: October 2006 - Overview
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
December 14, 2006

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However, overall there was a decrease in violence and torture in October when compared with September: the month when the brutal torture of ZCTU activists occured.

Rebecca Jumbe, one of the ZANU PF candidates in the RDC elections in Chitungwiza reportedly engaged in an orgy of violence whilst celebrating her victory. It is alleged that on 29 October she and her fellow ZANU PF supporters went around Chitungwiza chanting ZANU PF slogans and waving placards denouncing the opposition MDC. It is further alleged that in one of the cases where she was identified as one of the perpetrators, her supporters demanded beer from a shop owner who was said to have been an MDC polling agent in Chitungwiza. When they were told that the beer had been sold out, the ZANU PF supporters, led by Rebecca Jumbe, insisted that they would inspect the shop to see if this was true. Rebecca Jumbe is reported to have shouted orders that the victim be assaulted as that is what she had paid her supporters to do. It is reported that the assault lasted for approximately 15 minutes before the victim escaped leaving his shop unattended.

In a case which tests the seriousness of the Zimbabwe Government on adhering to the recommendations by the UN Special Envoy, Anna Tibaijuka, on Operation Murambatsvina, five women of WOZA, including a 75 year old grandmother, were arrested and taken to Mpopoma Police Station on 25 October 2006. The women who were part of more than 60 residents of Mabutweni and Iminyela high density suburbs in Bulawayo, were protesting against the eviction of 36 householders from their houses without due notice. The women alleged that the houses were meant to be given to people who know the Chairperson of the Residents Association and the Superitendent of the Mpopoma Housing Office.

A victim was assaulted in Harare city center by ZANU PF supporters for wearing an MDC T -shirt. When he went to report the assault at Harare Central Police Station, he was told he could not do so as the Officer - in - Charge was not there.

A student at the University of Zimbabwe was apprehended and assaulted by the University security guards on 5 October 2006. These guards, who do not have police powers, detained him for approximately two hours before the CIO came and took him to a large room where he was further interrogated about Zimbabwe National Students Union's activities. After the interrogation and assault by the CIO, the student was taken to Avondale Police Station, where he was briefly assaulted in front of his lawyer. He was made to pay an admission of guilt fine of $250 before being released.

While not forming a part of this report, the Human Rights Forum expresses its concern on violence and torture being meted out by the police in investigating non- political criminal matters. These incidents are also being reported to the Forum in increasing numbers.

Totals: 1 October 2006 - 31 October 2006

Cumulative Totals: 1 January 2006 - 31 October 2006



The graph should be read along with the table depicting the monthly totals of violations from 1 January 2006 to 31 October 2006. The total quantifiable number of victims reported in October 2006 is 19.

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