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Zanu PF supporters attack MDC leadership in Mvurwi
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
Extracted from Crisis in Zimbabwe Weekly Update
July 02-July 11, 2004

On July 2 , 2004 political violence took centre stage when more than 200 Zanu PF supporters attacked an MDC Mashonanaland Central assembly meeting in Mvurwi. According to a report by The Standard newspaper, MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai and other top officials were addressing the meeting when the rowdy supporters of the ruling party invaded the venue and attacked people and burnt down the house of the opposition party's chairman for Mashonaland Central province Biggie Chigonero.

The attack on the opposition supporters and the disruption of the peaceful meeting indicates worse things to come as Zimbabweans prepare for the 2005 general elections.

The Crisis Coalition believes that there can never be free and fair elections in a country where the youth militia and rogue elements of the state do not respect the rule of law.

It is the role of the State to protect fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of association and assembly as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the country's Constitution.

The Coalition reiterates its position that there cannot be any democratic elections without first addressing the context within which elections are conducted. Criminal elements like the youth militia and unlawful activities such as rape, assaults, murder and other forms of political violence should be addressed before any future elections, for them to be legitimate.

It is therefore not adequate to talk about electoral reforms such as providing translucent ballot boxes without dealing with the Zanu PF infrastructure of violence.

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