NOVEMBER 2004 NEWS: there has been a change in UK Zimbabwe Policy
ZIMBABWE
HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM
POLITICAL
VIOLENCE REPORT
DECEMBER
2001
January 2002
A report by the
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
Summary
A reign of terror was unleashed in Harare’s high
density suburbs by youths suspected of being a part of a Zanu-PF militia that
graduated from the Border Gezi Youth Training Centre in Mount Darwin. Officially
the centre is was set up as a Nation Service training facility. The youths wore
the official green military fatigues being issued to graduates from the centre.
Biggie Chitoro, a war veteran charged for the
murder of MDC activist, Fainos Kufazvinei Zhou, in June 200, was released on
bail on 06 November 2001. Chitoro had spent 13 months in remand prison.
Chitoro’s bail conditions are that he is not to participate on political
activity and should report to Mberengwa Police Station three times a week.
However, in December he set up a base at Chingoma Secondary School where
approximately 200 youths are unleashing terror on villagers in Mberengwa under
the guidance of himself and Elias Shiri, a teacher at Zvishava Primary School.
The two were responsible for more than 15 incidents
of torture and assault that were reported to the Human Rights Forum in the run
up to the June 2000 parliamentary election including sexual torture, falanga and
burning with plastic.
Chitoro was also charged with public violence,
assault, kidnapping, property destruction and theft, however these charges were
dropped in accordance with the presidential amnesty of October 2000.
A total of seven murders were reported; the highest
number for any month in 2001. In two of the murders, the victim’s heads were
hacked off. This figure excludes the disputed death of Laban/Lambani Chiweta.
A list of all reported deaths as at 31 December
2001 due to political violence is given at the end of this report.
December
2001 Totals
Cumulative
Totals January-December 2001
Sources: Amani Trust medical assessments, HR Forum
legal statements, CFU reports and newspaper reports.
Notes to Tables: The following categories have
been changed and/or expanded due to the nature and the volume of crimes.
Unlawful Arrest/Detention: Unlawful arrests perpetrated by members of the police force
and unlawful detentions by state agents, members of political parties and
private individuals
Kidnapping/Disappearances: Victims who have been released and those who are still
missing.
Torture:
Crimes of torture include rape. Rape is a highly underreported crime in
Zimbabwe. To date, the HR Forum has only been able to document three cases, all
in the month of June. Rape has not been allotted its own category as the low
number would minimise the actual occurrences of rape and not effectively
illustrate the volume of this crime.
All
cases under torture also fall under the definition of torture according to the
general definition of torture given in the United Nations Convention Against
Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and
Punishment.
The
four elements of torture are:
1.
Severe pain and suffering, whether physical or mental
2. Intentionally
inflicted
3.
With a purpose
4. By
a state official or another acting with the acquiescence
of the State.
Displacement/Eviction: More than 70 000 persons were internally displaced
between January and December 2001.
December
Violence
Bindura
18
December 2001
·
Duncan Cooke, a farm manager at Butleigh Farm in
Mtepatepa, was stabbed in the side of the head with a panga by 6 Agritex
officials that had arrived at the farm to peg it. Cooke sustained serious head
injuries and received 18 stitches. No arrests were made.
23
December 2001
·
Trymore
Midzi,
the MDC vice chairperson for Bindura district, was abducted from Chipadze Bottle
Store by Zanu-PF youths who were assisted by National Service youths. Midzi was
attacked with chains, sticks and knives. A post mortem confirmed that Midzi died
of multiple bruises, stab wounds, abrasions and a skull fracture sustained
during the attack.
Nine suspects were
arrested including Joseph Washington Mandundu, Zachariah Matuta, Chareka
Khumbukani, Emergency Chiwawa, Shepherd Gomo, Lastino Ngulube, Chasi Roy, Cain
Kajokoto, Disto Wadi. They were remanded in custody to 11 January 2002.
AC
·
My son Trymore Midzi died as a result of torture at
the hands of Zanu-PF youths. We tried to bury him in Chiweshe but were harassed
until we eventually buried him in Bindura. The night after we buried him, my
house in Bindura was attacked and stoned at about 4am.
We then tried to visit
my son’s grave but were ambushed and driven away with sticks and axes. I have
now fled the area and come to Harare.
25
December 2001
·
Laban
CHIWETA (as
reported in the Daily News) / Lambani
CHIMWETA Chambara (as reported in Herald) of the MDC, was reportedly assaulted by armed riot police on
December 6 2001. On this date 10 riot policemen raided a house sheltering
victims of Zanu-PF violence from Bindura and assaulted its occupants.
Approximately 40 persons were in the house and all were assaulted with batons
and clenched fists. Chimweta/Chiweta reportedly died as a result of head and
body injuries sustained in this attack. However the Herald claimed that the
murder report in Daily News was false and that Chimweta/Chiweta had died of
cerebral malaria.
29
December 2001
·
Moffat Chivaura was abducted together with four
other MDC supporters in Bindura by suspected member of the Zanu-PF youth
brigade. The five are still missing.
Budiriro
19
December 2001
·
Unnamed residents from Budiriro 5 were beaten by
youths in National Service military fatigues. The youths arrived in Budiriro and
randomly ordered residents to sweep the shopping centre beating those who
refused to obey.
Chegutu
December
2001
·
The acting Town Clerk, Gerald Mudimu, was
threatened with death by Zanu-PF supporters if he went ahead with the swearing
ceremony of MDC mayoral elect, Francis Dhlakama.
08
December 2001
·
Blessing Dhlakama, the MDC candidate for the
Chegutu Mayorship, had his house attacked by Zanu-PF supporters from outside
Chegutu on first day of polling for mayorship.
·
MDC youths were involved in a fracas with Zanu-PF
youths. One was injured and admitted to hospital. Nine MDC supporters were
arrested inn connection with the incident.
10
December 2001
·
James Tutani, an alderman in the Chegutu Town
Council and also a member of Zanu-PF, was assaulted for having originally backed
Zanu-PF’s Lancelot Gasura for nomination as mayoral candidate, after Stanley
Majiri lost. Another of Gasura’s supporters was reportedly assaulted in Kadoma
by Zanu-PF supporters.
Chikomba
06-07
December 2001
·
A farm security guard at Majumba Farm in Chivhu, Michael
Mugodoki, was found hacked to death and with his head missing a day after he
had left home to guard construction equipment on the farm. The ZRP said that
they are investigating the murder whose perpetrators are as yet unknown.
Chipinge
North
25
December 2001
·
Willis
Dhliwayo, a war veteran, was killed and dumped on the
Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road. Dhliwayo had cut on his scalp, a perforated wound on
right side of head and stab wounds on his stomach. It is unclear whether they
perpetrators belong to the MDC or to Zanu-PF.
Chitungwiza
11
December 2001
·
Two police officers from Chitungwiza were allegedly
assaulted with sticks and bottles by MDC youths leaving rally. The two, Job
Marange and Ben Tshuma were accused of being ‘Zanu-PF policemen’. Marange
was stabbed and left unconscious.
One suspect was arrested.
Glen
Norah
28
December 2001
·
At Spaceman Shopping Centre in Glen Norah,
residents from the area were severely assaulted with sticks, stones and ropes by
Zanu-PF members. Approximately 200 Zanu-PF youths arrived in the area at around
2pm and randomly attacked persons at the shopping centre.
An unnamed man at
Residents Bar was hit on the head with an empty beer bottle; he bled profusely
and was taken to hospital in a police vehicle. No arrests were made.
Gokwe
East
December
2001
·
Max Mutiri, the MDC publicity secretary in Gokwe,
together with 9 other MDC youths were seriously assaulted at Mtora Growth Point.
They were admitted to Mtora Hospital for treatment. Mutiri was transferred to
Harare. The perpetrators were identified as Shumba, a CID officer, Madyira, the
Zanu-PF district chair who acted in concert with unnamed Zanu-PF youths.
The MDC district chair,
Ronias Sango, claimed that members of the ZRP in the area were part of a Zanu-PF
militia which has ‘openly told [them] to prepare for war’.
Gokwe
West
18
December 2001
·
Paul Mukuwe of the MDC had his home burnt to ashes.
Mukuwe was away in Kwekwe at the time of the attack having fled death threats by
Zanu-PF supporters in October.
J.R
·
‘A large group of Zanu-PF
youths came to my house in Gumunyu village. They destroyed my house and beat my
wife and myself up because we are MDC supporters. They beat us with iron bars,
sticks and booted feet. The neighbours came and rescued me. The following day I
packed my things and fled to Harare.’
Gokwe
West
24
December 2001
·
In Manoti, Rambisai
Nyika was abducted and force marched her to a Zanu-PF meeting at Manoti
Business Centre. Nyika was attacked on her way back home. A blunt object used to
crush her head and ribs and her body was dragged and dumped inside a hut. 12
Zanu-PF youths arrested in connection with the murder.
Guruve
North
December
2001
·
Francis Butawi of Mushumbi Pools in Dande had home
destroyed when he failed to produce a Zanu-PF party card or give names of the
MDC supporters in the area
·
An unnamed 12 year-old boy was also beaten for
failing to identify MDC supporters in the area.
·
Unnamed villagers from Mahuwe Village had their
homes razed as punishment for supporting MDC. In Ward 22 opposition party
sympathisers were displaced from their homes and forced to attend Zanu-PF
meetings.
06
December 2001
·
The home of Ophias Mutandangayi, an MDC ward
chairman, was burnt down. Mutandangayi, his three wives and seven children are
now homeless.
·
A further 11 homes belonging to MDC supporters were
burnt down on the same day in Karayi Village.
Gwanda
South
22
December 2001
·
Micah Sibindi together with 8 unnamed MDC
supporters from Senondo Township were severely beaten by Zanu-PF members. They
were admitted to Gwanda General Hospital for treatment and later discharged.
Directly before the
attack, the perpetrators had been addressed by Zanu-PF MP for Gwanda South,
Abednico Ncube.
Harare
North
14-15
December 2001
·
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC president, was arrested
at 0530 and detained for 4 hours at Harare Central Police Station for ostensibly
for possessing an unlicensed walkie-talkie radio. (s14 of Radio and
Communication Services Act, under which he was charged, does not require this).
Hurungwe
East
20
December 2001
·
Titus
Nheya
was stabbed to death in Karoi. Nheya was the losing MDC candidate in June 2000
for Zvimba South.
·
Milton
Chambati, an MDC from Magunje was stabbed to death and had
his head hacked off. Ngoni Benjie Diza, Misheck Nyaude, Chance Chaita, Benhilda,
Oska Kwaramba, all Zanu-PF supporters were arrested, charged with murder and
remanded in custody.
·
A businessman at the growth point, Godfrey
Munhuweyi Gumbo, witnessed the attack on Chambati. His store was looted
following the attack when he was accused of supporting the MDC. His supermarket
and bottle stores were destroyed and beer worth $8 000 looted. Gumbo was also
physically attacked and sustained a deep cut in the head. The police only
intervened after the attack on Gumbo’s store and took Chambati’s body to
Karoi hospital mortuary.
The perpetrators are
suspected of being a part of a Zanu-PF militia that graduated from the Border
Gezi Youth Training Centre in Mount Darwin.
21
December 2001
·
Unnamed Zanu-PF supporters at the Zanu-PF offices
in Karerechi were assaulted and had their party t-shirts confiscated by MDC
supporters.
Conrad Chambati,
Mackenzie Chambati, Musarambe Kamurire, Admire Kamuchinda, Shandirai Moyo,
Sidney Bukuta, Johanne Ngoshi and Nyarai Tizora were arrested and charged with
public violence over the incident and remanded in custody.
Kuwadzana
31
December 2001
·
More than 70 unnamed residents in Kuwadzana
Extension were severely assaulted with sticks, stones by Zanu-PF and National
Service youths who were bussed into the area by Zupco buses from a war veterans
base in Snake Park. Property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed as the
militia went on door-to-door raids stoning and destroying windows.
·
Vinah and Joubert Mpofu’s house was stoned and
property worth more than $350 000 destroyed by suspected MDC supporters in
Kuwadzana Extension. Vinah Mpofu was assaulted with sticks and other weapons and
had her right arm broken.
·
Dires Chiunda, a Zanu-PF supporter had his house in
Kuwadzana extension stoned.
Mberengwa
East
14
December 2001
·
Edmore Muleya, an MDC member was arrested and
charged with murder. No docket opened on the case nor was Muleya informed as to
whose murder he was being charged with. He was released without being taken to
court. Muleya was assaulted with whips and forced to drink 10 litre bucket of
water whilst in police custody. His head was dipped in the bucket when he failed
to finish the water.
Six went to the police
station to check on Muleya, namely Ibraham Chalamanda, Herbert Chapendama, Paul
Jera, Munyaradzi Mupazviripo, Penifara Diamond and Tichaona Chihota. There they
were they were arrested for burning Douglas Chitekuteku, a war veteran’s,
house the week before. The six were taken to Macheke and held in custody until
Monday 17 December and were severely assaulted before being released without
charge.
·
The home of the MDC secretary for Mberengwa East in
Mataga was stoned because it housed MDC personnel. Wilson Kufa ‘Biggie’
Chitoro and unnamed youths were identified as the perpetrators.
21
December 2001
·
Tongai and Dzidzisanai Hove, both MDC supporters,
were abducted in Mataga and taken to a Zanu-PF camp at Chingoma Secondary School
where they were tortured.
8 MDC youths that went
to the camp to demand the release of the two were arrested and detained by the
police.
‘Biggie’
Chitoro, and unnamed youths were identified as the perpetrators.
·
Three unnamed Zanu-PF youths were attacked at
Chingoma Secondary School with sticks, stones and knobkerries by a group of MDC
supporters. They were treated at Mataga Clinic.
16 MDC supporters in the
area were arrested in connection with the incident; namely Frank Ndlovu,
Godknows Nkomo, Amias Dhliwayo, Prosper Mupukuta Mombe, Simbai Moyo, Erasmus
Matika, Zvidzai Shumba, Tamiranashe Hove, Tongai Hove, Dzidzisai Hove,
Sibonginkosi Shoko, Clarence Maidza, Witness Taminyiwa, Norman Macheza,
Nkosilathi Gambiza and Brighton Sibanda. They were all denied bail and remanded
in custody to 10 January 2002
About 20 MDC youths are
said to have disrupted a gathering of Zanu-PF youths that were toyi-toying in
celebration of Unity Day, throwing missiles at them resulting in three Zanu-PF
youths being injured. The group of Zanu-PF youths was accused of having
kidnapped 3 MDC youths guarding Sekai Holland’s house at Number 105 Mataga
Growth Point, Mberengwa.
The MDC youths are
reported to have then marched to Chingoma Secondary School to rescue their
colleagues.
22
December 2001
BM
·
‘Zanu-PF supporters came
to my house in Chingoma Village and accused me of being an MDC supporter. There
was about 15 of them.
They took me to Chingoma
Secondary School where they beat me using their hands. I started to bleed
through the nose. I was interrogated for along time before they let me go.’
Seke
19
December 2001
·
At Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, Bernard Madzima, the
medical superintendent, and Brook Chimoto, the principal therapist were
assaulted by youths in National Service military fatigues who accused them of
being MDC supporters enjoying the comforts of government offices and buildings.
Shamva
13
December 2001
Several MDC supporters in Madziwa were attacked by
suspected Zanu-PF supporters and war veterans in a spate of violence in which
six homes were burnt down on 13 December.
·
Fanuel Muronzi, an MDC member in Zuva Village, was
struck twice on the head with an axe and once on the right leg by a group of
approximately 60 Zanu-PF supporters. He treated at Madziwa Hospital for injuries
he sustained in the attack. Muronzi’s home was also burnt down.
·
In Zuva Village, Clever Matanda’s house was
damaged while his kitchen was burnt down. His son, Elias was assaulted with
chains sustaining blisters and cuts on stomach and back.
·
Elijah Matanhaurwa, an MDC supporter, was struck
with chains for continuing to support the MDC. Mutanhaurwa back is now swollen.
His house was also damaged during the attack.
14
December 2001
Martha Muronzi
·
‘At around 1am whilst my
family and myself were asleep Zanu-PF supporters surrounded my homestead which
is in the Chief Mutumba area in Madziwa. They wore MDC t-shirts to disguise
themselves. They started knocking at the door but I did not open it.
When they realised that
I wasn’t going to open the door they started breaking the windows. They then
threw a lit object into the house that set it on fire. The whole house was burnt
down.
I was stuck insid3 the
house for some time as while they continued throwing lit grass into the house
because I was afraid of being killed if I went outside.
One of the assailants
threw a stone into the house at me that hit my hand, breaking my middle finger.
They then left and we managed to escape from the burning house. I now have
nothing left.
Some of the people who
did this are: Obey Kaimba, Muzondiwa Karikoga and Miseck Kaingidza.’
31
December 2001
·
In Kamujariwa Village, Tafadzwa Mutsaunobaya was
assaulted with chains. He sustained blisters and swelling.
·
Elias Mutsaunobaya’s kitchen was burnt down and
the doors to his main house were destroyed.
·
Robson Chikuma’s home in Kamujariwa Village,
Madziwa was attacked. His kitchen was burnt to the ground and asbestos roofing
of his house destroyed.
Shurugwi
08
December 2001
·
Augustus
Chacha, the MDC district youth chair for Gokwe, was
abducted by suspected Zanu-PF supporters. His body found floating in Gonye dam
near his home two days later.
Chacha’s wife Theresa
Murindi and their five children witnessed abduction. Chacha had complained of
being tailed by strangers after he had been forced to leave Gokwe in August
where he had been an MDC organiser.
Zaka
West
December
2001
·
Five unnamed MDC members were arrested for
campaigning for the MDC and later released.
·
Arnold Chirwa, of the MDC, was assaulted by armed
soldiers. He has since fled the area.
Heavily armed soldiers
and Zanu-PF militias were deployed in Zaka and were patrolling the area looking
for MDC supporters. Army officials were quoted as saying that the soldiers were
in the area on a long-range exercise where they are testing new equipment.
06
December 2001
·
MDC’s losing candidate in the June 2000
parliamentary elections, Richard Patrick Mugwagwa, was assaulted at Padare
Business Centre in Jerera for his political allegiance by heavily armed
soldiers. He was made to lie in the mud while the assault took place. Mugwagwa
sustained head injuries and was treated at Jerera Clinic.
·
Misheck Marava, Jerifanos Kahuni and Johannes
Chongore of the MDC were abducted and severely beaten by members of the Zanu-PF
youth brigade. Marava sustained injuries all over his body, while Kahuni could
hardly walk. Both of them were treated at St. Anthony’s Mission Hospital. At
time of report Chongore was still missing.
27
December 2001
·
Fifteen unnamed MDC supporters were kidnapped by
Zanu-PF suppoirters, severely beaten and later released. The attack was lead by
Eddy Munjana, the headman for the area.
Full alphabetical list of reported deaths related
to political violence January to November 2001
Name,
(Political
Affiliation), Date of Death, Province, Constituency
CHACHA, Augustus,
(MDC), 08 December 2001, Midlands, Shurugwi
CHAMBATI, Milton,
(MDC), 20 December 2001, Mashonaland West, Hurungwe East
CHEMVURA, Lameck,
24 November 2001, Manicaland, Makoni East
CHIHUMBIRI, Eswat
(Zanu (PF), 23 March 2001, Mashonaland Central, Muzarabani
CHIKWENYA, Richard
Dzokurasa (MDC),
I May 2001, Manicaland, Buhera North
CHIRIMA, Robson Tinarwo (MDC),
March 2001, Mashonaland Central, Muzarabani
CHITEMRERE., Mhondiwa,
(MDC), 30 October 2001, Mashonaland East, Murehwa South
COBBET, Robert Fenwick (commercial
farmer), 6 August 2001, Midlands, Kwekwe
DHLIWAYO, Willis,
(ZNLWVA), 25 December 2001, Manicaland, Chipinge North
DUMUKANI, Zondani, (farmworker)
9 June 2001, Harare, Mbare East
GWENZI, Gilson
(MDC), 27 July 2001 (assaulted in June), Mashonaland Central, Mwenezi
KANOMERA, John (MDC),
3 July 2001, Harare, Hatfield (Epworth)
KATEMA, Thomas,
(MDC), 2 August 2001, Harare
LUPHAHLA, Limukani, (Zanu-PF),
29 October 2001, Matabeleland North, Lupane
MADZVIMBO, Fanuel,
(resettled farmer), 16 September 2001, Mashonaland East, Hwedza
MUGODOKI, Micheal,
(farm security guard), 6 December 2001, Mashonalnd Esat, Chikomba
MANYAME, Ropafadzo,
(MDC), 16 January 2001, Masvingo, Bikita West
MAPENZAUSWA, Phibion
(resettled farmer), 14 July 2001, Manicaland, Mutare West
MATARUSE, Peter (MDC),
March 2001, Mashonaland Central, Muzarabani
MATEMA, Hilary (MDC),
15 October 2001, Mashonaland Central, Guruve South
MAZAVA, Felix,
(MDC), 11 September 2001, Mashonaland East, Chikomba
MIDZI, Trymore,
(MDC) 23 December 2001, Mashonaland Central, Bindura
MUKWELI, Vusimuzi,
(MDC), 9 September 2001, Midlands, Gokwe South
MUNANDISHE, Peter,
( MDC), 22 July 2001, Mashonaland Central, Bindura
MUPESA, Ndonga (MDC),
30 March 2001, Mashonaland Central, Muzarabani
MWANZA, Miseck,
(MDC), 4 May 2001, Mashonaland West, Zvimba North
NHEYA, Titus,
(MDC), 20 December 2001, Mashonaland West, Hurungwe East
NKALA, Cain, (ZNLWVA),
5 November 2001, Bulawayo, Lobengula-Magwegwe
NYAMADZAWO, Alexio,
(resettled farmer) 15 September 2001, Mashonaland East, Hwedza
NYAMBARE, Winnie,
(MDC), 18 May 2001, Mashonalnd Central, Guruve
NYATHI, Mbuso,
(ZNLWVA), 27 September 2001, Matabeleland North, Nkayi
NYIKA, James (MDC),
3 July 2001, Harare, Hatfield (Epworth)
NYIKA, Rambisai,
(MDC), 24 December 2001, Midlands, Gokwe South
OLDS, Gloria,
(commercial farmer), 04 March 2001, Matabeleland North, Bubi-Umguza.
RUKARA, Kufa, (MDC),
19 November 2001, Midlands, Silobela
SIKELE, Johannes/Felix,
(resettled farmer), 11 November 2001, Masvingo, Chiredzi South
SIKHUCHA, Ravengai, (MDC),
10 November 2001, Midlands, Mberengwa East
ZIWENI, Osbon, (MDC)
18 September 2001, Masvingo, Bikita West
Unnamed
(MDC), April 2001, Mashonaland Central, Shamva
Unnamed
(2) (MDC supporters), May 2001, Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin South
Unnamed
(2) (Zanu-PF), 11 September 2001, Mashonaland East, Seke
Unnamed
(MDC), 6 September 2001, Bulawayo, Nkulumane
Unnamed
(farm worker), 15 September 2001, Mashonaland East, Hwedza
Unnamed
(game scout), 05 October 2001, Masvingo, Bikita East
Unnamed
(2) (MDC supporters) 2 November 2001, Mashonaland Central, Bindura
Total of 48 deaths
Background
The
MDC is contesting the outcome of last June’s parliamentary elections in many
constituencies that resulted in the victory of the ZANU (PF) candidate. The MDC
has filed 41 cases from constituencies across Zimbabwe. ZANU (PF) is likewise
contesting the election result in only one constituency where the MDC won a
parliamentary seat. Trials began 12 February 2001.
Human rights abuses have been reported in all cases
that have appeared before the High Court. Some of the victims seen by the HRLU
(Human Rights Legal Unit) during March 2001 were victims of political violence
that occurred when they returned home after testifying in the election
challenges. The violence, which has mainly implicated ZANU (PF) supporters, but
has also implicated some MDC supporters, is being used as a tool to intimidate
people who had testified at the High Court. The intimidation continues to instil
such fear that witnesses consider not testifying and in some cases have to be
subpoenaed.
Many victims were forced from their homes because
of an extreme fear of victimization and repeated intimidation. Victims are often
forced to look for alternative housing and many are forced to live with family
or friends elsewhere in the country. Most victims report beatings as the main
form of torture.
Some victims seen by the HRLU were victims of other
political violence, torture and ongoing intimidation in several constituencies.
Political violence has been reported in the
following constituencies: Beitbridge, Bikita West, Bindura, Bubi-Umguza, Buhera,
Bulawayo, Bulilima-Mangwe, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chinhoyi, Chipinge
North, Chiredzi, Gokwe, Goromonzi, Gweru, Harare, Hurungwe West, Hwange, Hwedza,
Kariba, Karoi, Kwekwe, Mabvuku, Makonde, Makoni East, Makoni West, Marondera,
Masvingo North, Matabeleland South, Matobo, Mazowe West, Mberengwe East, Mount
Darwin, Murehwa, Mutare, Mutoko, Muzarabani, Mwenezi, Nkavi, Raffingora, Ruwa,
Seke, Shamva, Shurugwi, Tsholotsho and Zvimba.
The Clemency Order handed down by the President in
October 2000, which declared that only those involved in political violence that
resulted in murder or rape could be prosecuted, clearly has had serious effects.
Police have taken little action to protect persons against political violence
and in many cases, according to victims, refuse to take statements from MDC
supporters. Some victims refrain from making reports to the police out of fear
of further victimization often because of a perceived link between the
assailants and members of law enforcement agencies. The police, as evidenced by
statements of victims, have shown little intention of taking the reported
matters seriously or investigating them with diligence.
It is urgent that the Zimbabwean government takes
steps to ensure a climate of peaceful political competition. It is also
imperative that the government ensures that the rule of law is restored, and
criminal charges are brought against all alleged perpetrators, whatever their
political affiliation.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as
the "Human Rights Forum") has been in existence since January 1998.
Nine non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights joined
together to provide legal and psychosocial assistance to the victims of the Food
Riots of January 1998.
The Human Rights Forum has now expanded its
objectives to assist victims of organized violence, using the following
definition:
"Organised
violence" means the inter-human infliction of significant avoidable pain
and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy
and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action, which is
unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims’ mental
and physical well-being.
The Human Rights Forum operates a Legal Unit and a
Research and Documentation Unit.
Core member organizations of the Human Rights Forum
are:
The Amani Trust
Amnesty International (Zimbabwe)
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
The Legal Resources Foundation
Transparency International (Zimbabwe)
The University of Zimbabwe Legal Aid and Advice
Scheme
Zimbabwe Association for
Crime Prevention and the Rehabilitation of the Offender
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association
Associate members are:
GALZ
ZIMCET
The Human Rights Forum can be contacted through any
member organization or through the following:
The Administrator, c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: admin@hrforum.co.zw
The Legal Unit, c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: legal@hrforum.co.zw
The Research Unit c/o P O Box 5465, Harare – email: research@hrforum.co.zw
Telephone/fax:
792 222, 737 509, and 731 660
Website: www.hrforumzim.com
All
previous reports of the Human Rights Forum can be found on the website