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Scores of villagers injured in Murewa as gangs went berserk
Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ)
June 02, 2008

Scores of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists were injured and lost property worth billions of dollars as criminal gangs aligned to the ruling ZANU PF party and the youth militia went on rampage in Murewa over the weekend. MDC supporters in the Murehwa North constituency, that was narrowly won by the outgoing Health Minister David Parirenyatwa by no more than 600 votes are living in fear after being attacked by armed gangs. A field officer for The Centre for Community Development In Zimbabwe (CCDZ) visited the affected areas of Dombwe in Mkararakate and Chinake, Munhuwepai, Chemapango about 5 kilometres from Murewa Centre to record what happenned.The wards that are being targeted by these gangs are those won by MDC councillors.Villagers have lost cattle, chicken, grain and other valuable items to these gangs.

CCDZ condemns the ongoing violence in Murewa and the traumatic experience to which the villagers are being subjected by the youth militia. We challenge the police to investigate these cases which are on the increase in Murewa and bring the culprits, including some high-profile politicians to book. We note with concern that there seems to be a deliberate effort to decimate the MDC structures and destabilise the opposition ahead of the Presidential run-off scheduled for 27 June, 2008. We express our reservations on the ongoing attacks and persecution of people in Murewa. We urge the immediate disband of a detention centre at Makunde shopping complex which is owned by Bright Makunde, the ZANU PF political commissar for Mashonaland East and Senator for Murewa. The murder of community leader and MDC treasurer Shepherd Jani in Murewa two weeks ago was planned and carried out with the complicity of known ZANU PF senior politicians in Murewa.

CCDZ is concerned about the safety of traditional leaders and village heads in Murewa who have become the latest targets in the ongoing violence. We urge the police to provide protection so that we don't lose more lives in the run-up to the presidential run-off.

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