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Zimbabwe in danger as Zanu PF embarks on coordinated violence against the people
Movement for Democratic Change
January 23, 2011

Zanu PF has begun resorting to the language they understand most, the language of violence. In Budiriro, Mbare and Chitungwiza violence has resurfaced with soldiers, police details and the youth militia descending on the people with brutality; assaulting, destroying homes and arresting perceived MDC supporters. The issue of violence began late last week when Zanu PF mobilised and bussed youth from as far as Gutu, Tsholotsho, Shamva and Bindura into Harare to demonstrate against the so-called maize slashing by Harare City council.

Budiriro

There has been a build up in violence since Monday with Zanu PF militia and uniformed soldiers attacking known MDC supporters in Budiriro 4 and 5. Friday 21 January 2011-The Chairperson for ward 43, Gashirai Gurure is said to have been abducted and his whereabouts remain unknown. His wife and son were assaulted with iron bars and have since been admitted into hospital with the assistance of the MDC social welfare department. Councillor for the ward, Panganayi Charumbira's house was, as is the case with Gurure's house, destroyed, with the militia breaking down the doors, smashing the windows and looting property worth thousands of dollars.

One MDC supporter, Ignatius Mhuriro was assaulted by six uniformed soldiers, and is currently in hiding as police details are said to be looking for him on allegations of assaulting the soldiers.

Saturday 22 January 2011-William Mukuwari, the Budiriro District Youth Treasurer, has been admitted in hospital after he was shot on his leg and assaulted by the youth militia. The soldiers went on to attack people at Sahara bar, destroyed two TV sets, smashed windows and closed down the place. Riot police are said to have sealed the place last night and made a curfew for 8pm in Budiriro.

The Zanu PF youth causing havoc in Budiriro are said to be housed by one Mai Hokoyo at her crèche whilst the soldiers and some of the militia are being hosted at the Rambai Makashinga cooperative- a housing cooperative for soldiers, in Budiriro. The environment there is pretty tense as people are living in fear.

Mbare

Saturday 22 January 2011- About 400 Zanu PF youths besieged the MDC district office at research center in Mbare; assaulted 24 of the youth guarding the premises; smashed all the windows, stole three sets of computers; vandalised the office furniture before the police arrested 19 of the MDC youth. The other five had to be hospitalised, two of them with serious injuries after the attack. Barnabas Mwanaka and Shingai Gorekore are said to have sustained serious stab wounds. According to eyewitnesses, even the officer in charge Crime at Mbare, one Magauza, was present during the assault and then ordered the arrest of the MDC youth on allegations of causing public violence.

Chitungwiza

Sunday 23 January 2011- Unit D, Zanu PF youth assaulted Gift Nengomasha, the MDC District Executive member for Chitungwiza. His wife and lodgers were assaulted after the Zanu PF youth visited and destroyed his home late this afternoon after Nengomasha had escaped from their grip. He reported the matter to the police who refused to open a docket for him as the police are said to be under instructions not to take information from MDC supporters. In the same province, Phibion Dziva, an MDC activist was assaulted with bottles on his head and sustained serious head injuries. He was at Town Center police station where his report was thrown out as political. The MDC condemns any form of violence more so when it is happening to unarmed civilians in a non-war state.

The Party of Excellence, the MDC is extremely concerned by the lack of action by the police as well as the continued victimisation of the victims when they approach the police stations to report the various forms of assault. What is even more worrying is the fact that in the eyes of the police, any MDC supporter, even if they are victims, qualifies to be a candidate for arrest. It is clear that the repeat of June 2008 in an amplified version is inevitable.

The MDC calls on SADC, the AU and the broader international community to take immediate actions for the protection of the people of Zimbabwe.

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