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Update on the current wave of violence
Zimbabwe Peace Project
May 14, 2008

The Zimbabwe Peace Project notes with regret and utter shock that the state sponsored violence targeted at those who voted against ZANU PF or were perceived to be advocating for transparency either as election observers or election officials, is continuing unabated. The force with which the violence is being driven is obviously unrelenting. In the last two days ZPP has recorded politically motivated murders in the Midlands in Gokwe Chireya and also in Mount Darwin East where four people are reported to have been killed.

In Gokwe Chireya ZPP reports of the murder of a businessperson known as Gomwe) who was murdered in violent clashes on Sunday. This took place in Ward 26 in Tsungai village. Gomwe is alleged to have been murdered for being a supporter of the MDC (names of perpetrators supplied). The violence that has hit Gokwe has resulted in locally accredited election observers and MDC supporters being displaced as they run away from the rogue elements that seem to be systematic in the way that the entire campaign is being orchestrated. In some instances perpetrators of ZANUPF supporters are alleged to be are putting on T-shirts of the MDC to fool people to believe that they are under siege of the MDC.

ZPP also reports the death of Bright Mafundirwa who died at Karanda Hospital in Mount Darwin East on Monday 12 May 2008 allegedly as a result of injuries he sustained in a case of assault and torture on May 11 (names of leaders of perpetrators supplied). The group of perpetrators in the area is estimated at 500. Four other people including a traditional leader are feared to have met their death in the same manner.

On Monday night at about 7pm FK (identity protected) who is currently hospitalized was allegedly abducted and severely assaulted at Chiveso village, which is seven kilometres from Nyava business centre in Bindura South constituency. FK who was an MDC polling agent in the harmonized elections has serious head injuries. The organizers of acts of violence in this area are also known.

ZPP has also received reports of two people who were abducted at 6 in the morning today and who have been threatened with death. The two were allegedly abducted from Zaka, Nyashanu village. Their abductors have not been identified.

ZPP urges those funding this violence to stop forthwith as it is causing untold suffering on innocent civilians. Zimbabweans have a constitutional right to exercise their right to choice and association without fear and it is mandatory for this right to be respected. The ongoing wave of violence is dehumanising and degrading for Zimbabweans to be perpetrating it against one another. It is unacceptable for families to continue to be torn apart as those targeted flee the violence but leave their dependants at the mercy of the rogue elements.

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