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Violence against MDC members on the increase
Movement for Democratic Change
January 14, 2011

The MDC deplores the current upsurge in violence, illegal arrests and abductions of its members and members of the members of the public by state security agents and Zanu PF supporters. Reports received by the MDC across the country show that there is a rise in cases involving violence, arbitrary arrests on flimsy grounds and kidnappings of its members especially in the rural areas. We have noted a heavy presence of army personnel in the countryside, harassing innocent villagers. Last week, a group of soldiers from the 4.2 Infantry Battalion went and beat up people at Mupandawana Growth Point in Gutu, Masvingo province. Dozens of people were injured.

On Wednesday, more than 30 people were injured and shops were forced to close at Jerera Growth Point in Zaka again in the same province after another group of soldiers attacked villagers. Chiefs in Bubi and Nkayi, Matebeleland North province, are reported to be telling villagers that soldiers will soon be deployed in the area as peace keepers ahead of elections.

Elson Mutonhori, the MDC Masvingo South secretary was on Saturday morning abducted at gunpoint by Major - General Engelbert Rugeje and one Major Toperesu at his Renco Mine home. Rugeje and Toperesu who were driving an unmarked white Mitsubishi truck took Mutonhori to the Rock Motel in Chivi some 100km away, where they interrogated and intimidated him until midnight for wearing MDC regalia. Mutonhori made a report at Renco Mine Police Station but the police officers refused to open a docket claiming the issue was political. Self - styled war veteran, Jabulani Sibanda addressed a rally in Ngundu, Chivi, Masvingo province, and threatened villagers with death if they voted for the MDC in the next elections.

On Thursday, scores of Zanu PF youths caused disturbances at the MDC headquarters, Harvest House, Harare, and attacked innocent shoppers and workers. Four councillors and five MDC youths were arrested in Victoria Falls last week on false charges of disrupting a council meeting. They were each granted a US$70 bail each on Wednesday.

Hon. Paul Madzore, Glen View South MP, was served with summons to appear in court on 15 February on charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest at Makomva Shopping Centre in Glen View in May 2006.

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms all acts of targeted violence and arrests against MDC officials and ctivists. Further, the MDC denounces the deployment of security personnel as a plot to inculcate a culture of fear in the rural areas. The MDC urges SADC, the AU and the international community to take note of the crackdown on the people of Zimbabwe by lawless allies of Zanu PF ahead of the coming elections. As a party of excellence, the MDC believes in delivering real change to the people of Zimbabwe with guaranteed security, dignity, democracy and freedoms, prosperity and hope.

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