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Political violence report - April 2009
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
June 06, 2009

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Overview
The trends of human rights violations in the country have remained predominantly the same as violence on commercial farms as well as the clampdown on student activists continues. Cases of inter-party violence were also recorded in the month of April; a sign of continued political polarisation. The figures for the monthly totals show an increase in the number of violations as compared to March. April recorded a total of 204 violations as compared to 155 in March. There were increases in the number of violations of freedom of expression, association and movement with the month of April recording a total of 53 violations as compared to 30 in March. The figures for cases of assault also rose in April where 17 cases were recorded as compared to seven in March. Three cases of torture were also recorded in April.

The increase in the number of violations recorded in April can largely be attributed to the upsurge of violence on commercial farms around the country despite the SADC Tribunal ruling as well as other rulings that have been passed by the local courts. A Ministerial fact-finding mission, led by the Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and comprising representatives of the three principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA), was set up to investigate the situation on the farms. The Deputy Prime Minister and his team visited farms in the Chegutu area and ordered an end to the disruptions on the farms. However, this was disregarded by the invaders as seen at Mount Carmel farm where the owner Ben Freeth, his wife and his employees were chased off the farm as soon as Mutambara and his team left.1 The continued disregard of the rule of law on the commercial farms has seen not only the commercial farmers being harassed but also their employees who have been increasingly targeted for violent attacks and arrested for standing up to the farm invaders.

The ZANU PF youths who have occupied the commercial farms have become a law unto themselves as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), continues to be accused of taking no action against the invaders and in some cases arresting the violated instead of the violators. The involvement of senior government and ZANU PF officials, such as the President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe and ZANU PF Senator Muduvuri in the disruption of farming activities is alarming and raises concerns over the commitment to the GPA and the Inclusive government.

The international Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, an arm of the World Bank, awarded US$21 million in compensation to 13 Dutch farmers whose land was seized by the state. The tribunal argued that Zimbabwe was obliged to compensate the farmers in full due to the bilateral agreement it has with the Netherlands.2 This ruling however, like the SADC Tribunal ruling, is likely to be disregarded by the Government of Zimbabwe.

As the issue of high tuition fees for tertiary institutions remains unresolved, protests by students around the country continued. Three protests were held during the month, two by students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo and one at the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Masvingo. As has become the norm, the three protests were violently dealt with by armed anti-riot police officers leading to the arrest, detention and assault of several students. Ten student activists were also suspended from the NUST following the protests.

Incidences of inter-party violence continue to be reported around the country. This report documents three incidences in which MDC supporters have been abducted and tortured by ZANU PF youths in Chitungwiza, Mutoko and Shamva. It is worrying to note, as highlighted in these reports, that some ZANU PF bases are still operational almost a year after the last election was held and continue to be used to torture and punish supporters of other parties. The continued existence and operation of these bases, as well as the continued harassment of political detainees, raises fears and casts doubt on the future of the inclusive government. The police continued to guard Chris Dhlamini and Gandi Mudzingwa at the Avenues Clinic where they were receiving treatment, even though they had been lawfully released from police custody. The two are MDC officials who are among the group accused of banditry and terrorism. Justice Hungwe castigated the police in a ruling made on 11 November 2008 for failing to bring the suspects to court on time and holding them incommunicado and especially for detaining a two-year old child.

The Human Rights Forum calls upon the GoZ to bring to end impunity for perpetrators of all human rights abuses and to ensure the rule of law is upheld and respected by all citizens regardless of their political affiliations. There is need for the principals to the Global Political Agreement to speak with one voice in terms of promoting the rule of law and ensuring the protection and security of all persons in the country. The Human Rights Forum also reiterates its constant call upon the ZRP to exercise restraint when dealing with unarmed protestors, as well as to treat all citizens fairly and within the confines of the law in the discharge of their duties.

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