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Crackdown on opposition intensifies in high density areas
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
March 19, 2007

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Kajawu Newton, CHRA Ward 19 Chairperson was arrested on Sunday in Mabvuku New Stands for allegedly participating in an illegal meeting convened by the opposition MDC, where it emerges he is a very active member. It is believed he and several other MDC activists were taken to Goromonzi Police Station, according to CHRA Ward Coordinator Brighton Chimate.

In Mufakose Keith Charumbira, the CHRA Ward 34 Chairperson was on Friday night severely assaulted by policemen at Mhishi Business Centre and is admitted at a private hospital in Harare nursing his injuries. He could hardly speak when he was taken to hospital.

A CHRA representative from Ward 1, in Harare South was today warned against ever coming to Harare Central Police Station in connection with the Association. The representative, who declined to be identified, said he went to the police station with a letter notifying the police of CHRA's intention to hold public meetings in Mabvuku and the City Centre. But when he got there and presented his letter of notification, the policeman verbally assaulted him and threatening to arrest him. "I was forced to sit on the floor," he said. "He demanded to know if I knew how to answer police questions but I said I knew. Then he threw me the two letters and ordered me to leave his office, demanding to see some officials within CHRA."

Unidentified men believed to be either State security operatives or Zanu PF supporters allegedly shot Martin Marikebo, an MDC activist in Glen Norah B' on Sunday 18 March 2007 on his left leg. The incident occurred at House Number 6034 Glen Norah B'. The police had earlier in the afternoon visited several houses belonging to known MDC activists, among them CHRA members identified as Mrs Musoni, Timothy Mukwengu Mufunga and Juliet Masiyambiri. Late in the evening they returned to pick up several of the MDC activists. When they arrived at Marikebo's house, he allegedly hid himself in the house, but these assailants grabbed his son and threatened to go with him. Fearing what might happen to his son, Marikebo came out of his hiding and he was immediately shot on the left leg and left in a hurry. Relatives and neighbours took Marikebo to a private hospital in Harare where he is receiving medical attention. His condition was reportedly stable at the time of writing this report.

NB: The Combined Harare Residents' Association (CHRA) reiterates its non-partisan position. However its members have rights to become members of political parties or other groupings of their choice. The Association continues to monitor the events on the ground and urges President Robert Mugabe's government to uphold the rule of law by stopping this crackdown on opposition supporters and other government critics in civil society.

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