ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM	

POLITICAL VIOLENCE REPORT: 
16-30 APRIL 2002

3 May 2002 

A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum

Overview
NB report covers reports received in the two week period covered by the report, however, figures for the period 16-30 April are for incidents that occurred within that time period.
With no impending elections, no tangible explanation seems clear for the politically motivated violence that is still persisting in Zimbabwe. The post election period has witnessed a sustained attack on known or suspected supporters of the opposition, Movement for Democratic Change by state agents and supporters of the ruling party Zanu PF. 
To an even greater extent the attack on commercial farmers and their workers has intensified with incidents of violence and evictions on the increase countrywide. These evictions are illegal and are not being carried out by any government officials, which would perhaps lend the process some level of legitimacy, but are instead being enforced by Zanu PF militia and war veterans. Farmers and farm workers are evicted from their homes with at times as little as an hours notice. The process has involved high levels of intimidation, property damage and looting. The police have taken no positive action to curb the evictions and have been reported to merely observe evictions as they took place as has been reported of Asst Inspector Mafu, the Officer In Charge at Marondera Rural Police Station. 
The situation created for farm workers by these evictions is bleak. Most have worked at their respective farms all their lives and have no alternative rural homes to go to. The are essentially internal refugees with no access to any essential resources, that is, food, water and shelter.
Totals 15 to 30 April 2002

Cumulative Totals 1 January 2002 – 30 April 2002

Sources: Human Rights Forum legal statements, CFU reports, newspaper reports, Amani Trust medical assessments, The Zimbabwe Peace Project
•	Note on torture

Torture: 
All cases under torture 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 individual acting with the acquiescence of the State.

Key Abbreviations
CIO- Central Intelligence Organisation
MDC- Movement for Democratic Change
MP- Member of Parliament
NCA- National Constitutional Assembly
UMP – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
ZNLWVA- Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
ZNA- Zimbabwe National Army
ZRP- Zimbabwe Republic Police
Zanu PF- Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front

Cases of Political Violence 
Note:  The identities of victims that have not been published in the press and are not public officials are protected by the use of initials.
Bindura
10 April 2002
•	Zanu PF militia, forcibly evicted Abednico Chikuvanyanga, Godfrey Mumbamarwo, Joyce Dokotera and Transwell Koti, MDC members from Chiwaridzo, from their homes. Their homes were then completely trashed after their occupancy had been restored by a court order. The damage their properties was Z$105 450, Z$960 000, Z$972 241respectively. The damage to Koti’s home is still to be assessed.
9-13 April 2002
•	Bob Duncan, the farm manager, and the workers at Leopardvlei Farm were chased off the farm by Reward Marufu and other unnamed Zanu PF members. Duncan was locked in an office while all the keys and some personal property were removed by Marufu. Marufu then ordered Duncan to remove all his property from the house but later stole it from removal trucks that were being used to transport the property. The group also started harvesting standing crops and claimed all property on the farm as now belonging to them. The crop theft was reported to Bindura Police Station and recorded as case number RB 081276.
Budiriro.
5 April 2002
•	CM was at the shopping centre in Budiriro 2 when soldiers arrived, accusing large numbers of people of being MDC supporters. They beat up CM before he managed to escape and ran home. As a result of the assault, CM sustained a fractured forearm, a laceration to the back of his head, and has fading scars across his back. He is also still suffering from backache. 
Bubi-Umguza
19 April 2002
•	Mike Wood, farmowner of Glencurragh farm in Nyamandlovu was reportedly assaulted with an iron bar by unnamed Zanu PF supporters. He sustained a broken shoulder from the assault.
Chimanimani
24 April 2002
•	Joseph Mwale, a CIO agent, had his house in Ngangu Village petrol bombed by MDC supporters including Shadreck Duma, Fundisayi Chimuka, Jasper Gabaza, Pardon Magutu, Tendai Maphosa, Jenias Mangwanani and Kenias Nyakuvimba. Eleven MDC supporters were arrested over the attack. Joseph Mwale was named as one of the killers of Tichaona Chiminya and Talent Mabika who were murdered with a petrol bomb in April 2000. Mwale was summoned to testify in the Buhera North electoral petition but disappeared and failed to appear in court following which High Court Judge James Devittie gave a directive to Attorney General Andrew Chigovera to prosecute him and another co-accused for the murders but no action has been taken so far.
Chipinge South
7 April 2002
•	HM, from Chief Gardwa area, reported that while he was at home, seven Zanu PF supporters arrived at his house accusing him of being an MDC supporter and asked him for his MDC card and t-shirt. H.M. refused to show them the said items and as a result was severely assaulted. He was stoned, and then beaten up with iron bars and knobkerries, across his back, legs and left upper arm. During the assault, H.M. collapsed and was dragged into the bush and dumped there. He was found some time later when his brothers and cousins came looking for him and took him home. When the police were notified they came and took a statement from the victim and then took HM to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital he had to undergo an operation on his left upper arm to repair cartilage damage, and was treated for injuries sustained to his head, back, left buttock and left ankle. HM is still suffering from headaches, dizziness, numbness and pain in his arms, legs and a backache. 
Chitungwiza
13 April 2002
•	PM was making her way to an MDC rally at Chibuku Stadium when she was allegedly confronted and beaten by a group of Zanu PF youths because she was wearing an MDC t-shirt. The physical assault included blows to the head resulting in her sustaining a 3cm laceration. She now has a continuous severe headache.
Hwedza
7 April 2002 
•	DM was travelling to Harare when the bus he was in was stopped at Madzimbabwe Business Centre by a group of Zanu PF supporters. DM was reportedly dragged off the bus by the militia and taken to their office. He was beaten on the soles of his feet with a heavy stick. DM already had a previous sore on his ankle, which was then re-opened by one of the assailants using a pair of dirty pliers. They also attempted to strangle him. DM was kept at the offices overnight, and was only released the next morning upon the orders of a couple of senior Zanu PF officials. DM is suffering from painful feet, abdominal pains, and his ankle wound has turned septic. 
Kadoma Central
23 April 2002
•	Solomon Muzvidzwa, the MDC district youth chair and Isaiah Nyakidzino were en route home from a campaign rally for the Kadoma Mayorship in Rimuka. They were confronted by Phiri and other unnamed Zanu PF youths who demanded the pair’s MDC t-shirts. When they refused to hand them over they were assaulted and stripped of their t-shirts. The matter was reported to the police following which Phiri was picked up and briefly detained then released. 
Kuwadzana
9 April 2002
•	Biggie Husvu and Norman Chidza were stopped by approximately twenty-five youths wearing t-shirts inscribed “Third Chimurenga”. The two were assaulted with electrical cords, fists and shod feet for refusing to chant Zanu PF slogans and not having Zanu PF party cards. The pair was also robbed of all the money they had.
12 April 2002
•	JN was accosted by a group of Zanu PF supporters. He was struck on the head with an iron bar and lost consciousness. He is suffering from a severe headache, impaired concentration and memory, bruising to both hands and a painful tear in his left abdomen. 
Kwekwe
22 April 2002
•	George Hungwe, an MDC ward chair in Redcliff, had his house broken into by suspected Zanu PF supporters at around 8.30pm. The house was set alight after the family was locked up in a bedroom. They managed to escape through the window after the burning ceiling started to collapse. Hungwe’s wife and children suffered minor injuries while property worth Z$5 million was destroyed.
Makoni East
14 April 2002
•	Amos Kutiya, an MDC supporter, was threatened with death by Zanu PF supporters if he did not leave the village where he lives in Chirimutsitu Resettlement Scheme. The roof of his house was doused with petrol before two petrol bombs were thrown into the house. One failed to ignite, while the other destroyed sofas and other furniture. Kutiya and his three daughters managed to escape from the burning house without injury. 
16 April 2002
•	Elvis Mhiripiri, who was an MDC election agent and his wife, were evicted from their home by pistol-wielding Zanu PF youths. The youths reportedly assaulted his wife and ordered him and his family to go to Britain. They then torched his and six adjacent homes belonging to MDC members including those of Cephas Makungwa, Fungai Kanda and Taurayi Nyamapote. 
Marondera East / West 
9 April 2002
•	One hundred and twenty farm workers from Chakadenga Farm, who were accused of supporting farmowner Derrick Hind, were evicted from the farm by war veterans. 
Marondera West
13 April 2002
•	Guy Cartwright, owner of Waltondale Farm, and his family were forcibly driven off his undesignated farm. The war veterans that presided over the evictions confiscated all equipment  from the farm, valued at Z$400 million, 700 head of cattle, and 260 tonnes of reaped tobacco. The farmhouse was also looted.
Mazowe West/East
13 April 2002
•	Nicholas Brown, owner of Wooller and Glen Grey Farms , and his one hundred and seventy six workers were evicted from both properties by war veterans and Zanu PF supporters. Farm guards Enock Chidhakwa and Chamunorwa Radzira were reported as having been assaulted during the eviction process.

Mbare East / West
18 April 2002
•	EM was an MDC polling agent during the elections. On the 18th of April, he was accosted by a large group of Zanu PF supporters who beat him up with planks, punched him with clenched fists and kicked him. He was then handcuffed and taken to their office where the beating continued. EM was then released after his I.D. and a cash amount of $300 was taken off him. The victim’s back is covered with a pattern of painful bruises. CM has a pain in his left lower side, and a headache from receiving blows to the head. 
Mount Darwin
18 April 2002 
•	On 15 April 2002, the local Zanu PF chairperson came to GR’s house and told him that he had to contribute $1500 towards the Independence Day celebrations. The chairperson left after GR told him that he did not have the money. On the 18th of April 2002 (Independence day) the chairperson, accompanied by ten youths, returned to GR’s home and accused him of being uncooperative and told him that he must leave the area. GR was then beaten on the buttocks and slapped on the face. Thirty-eight of his chickens were then burnt alive. GR is now receiving dental treatment in Harare. 
Shamva
23 April 2002
•	Rogers Chakanda, Prince Chikono, Douglas Hamamauswa, Tito Kaifu, Mishek/Shake Kanengosha, Tedius Maiswa, Morgan Makunda (MDC polling agents ) Brian  Mudzinga and twenty unnamed MDC mineworkers had their houses stoned, torched and property  worth Z$550 000 damaged/destroyed. They were also threatened with death if they did not leave the mine. Eight MDC polling agents were allegedly forced to resign by mine managers sympathetic to / instructed by Zanu PF, after being absent from work for 5 days because they had been evicted from their mine housing and had fled the area. Mudzanga fled to Kwekwe after receiving death threats from Zanu PF youths brought to the mine by Zanu PF managers.
Shurugwi
22 April 2002
•	Unnamed MDC residents of Nash 1 Mine compound were rounded up at gunpoint and accused of supporting MDC. They were assaulted with 84 huts and property worth Z$500 000 being torched. Everyone was ordered out of the burning compound or risk being shot. Three soldiers and six other people were remanded to 10 May 2002 on bail of Z$2000 each by Gweru magistrate Mzinyathi. Fana and Madzima were also charged with armed robbery of Z$60 000 from one worker on the same day.  
Zengeza
27 April 2002
•	Davis Mtetwa, MDC Provincial Secretary for Chitungwiza who was severely assaulted by policemen and soldiers during the election died and was due to be buried at Masimbe village, Chipinge South.Since the beating he had not been well. Last year Davis was tortured after being accused with Stephen Chasara of having taken part in the abduction  and subsequent murder of Cain Nkala. 
Zvimba South
26 April 2002
•	Unnamed farmworkers and 1300 families were evicted from a farm in the area and not allowed to take their property by Zanu PF supporters and war veterans. This led to an intra-party dispute with Kowo and the group based at Dzivarasekwa 5 upholding farmworkers’ rights to collect their property while a Mai Zvikaramba(Zanu PF) who had occupied the farmhouse refused. The police intervened when Kowo’s group petrol-bombed the other group and were in turn stoned. 
Violence on Commercial Farms
The illegal evictions of farmers and their workers has continued unabated. Farmers and farmworkers are being ordered to leave their farms with as little as an hours notice by Zanu PF militia / war veterans. The following are some narratives detailing evictions:
Marondera East
19 April 2002
•	Mike Colahan, owner of Ke se Ra Farm,  was ordered to pack a few personal effects and leave his farm within the hour. The Zanu PF militia established on his farm told him not to lock his house, as they were moving in to "guard" the remaining household effects until he could return and collect them. He was informed that the farm equipment and crops no longer belonged to him as they had been taken over by the settlers. All his workers were ordered to leave by 20 April 2002. The Marondera Police informed Colahan that it was not an issue for them and that he must go and see the District Administrator, as he knows the farms from which farmers and workers are supposed to be evicted. The District Administrator is a Mr Simunda, who is also the Chairman of the Mashonaland East War Veterans' Association.

20 April 2002
•	Bruce and Vicki Campbell and their daughter, Katharine Reimer, were evicted illegally from their farm by a war vet known as Black Ganda,and an Army officer, a Colonel Mangachena. The Marondera Police  details present stood by and watched, but took no action to restrain them. The lorry loaded with the household effects was searched as it left for " farm equipment", and the invaders removed a generator found on the lorry.  All the farm implements, livestock , irrigation equipment and crops, amounting to millions of dollars have been appropriated by these individuals with the tacit approval of the CIO and the DA and Police . Asst Inpsector Mafu was near the scene earlier in the day, but stated that as there had been no violence he could not see that there was a problem requiring Police intervention.
•	
In the Ruzawi Valley in Marondera the following have been evicted: 
•	Chipesa Farm: Iain Kay and all workers evicted on the 27th of March, despite a High Court Order preventing such.
•	Gresham Farm: Trevor Steel and all workers evicted early April.
•	Waltondale Farm: Guy Cartwright evicted 11th April.
•	Lendy Farm: Raymond Cartwright evicted 12th April.
•	Gorejena Farm: Katherine Reiemer evicted 16th April;
•	Eirene Farm: Hamish Charters and most workers, evicted 27th April (in defiance of a High Court Order).
•	Brondesbury Farm: Dave Carey & Chris Carey evicted 29th April.
•	Presmenan Farm: Kim Nilson, Dick Rice, and all workers were evicted 29th April.
•	Marirangwe Dairy: All workers evicted 1st May, B Taylor , the owner, is away.
Those under imminent threat of eviction:
•	Uitkyk Farm: Angus Campbell and all workers were ordered to leave on the 29th of April in defiance of a High Court Order barring this.
•	Makarara Farm: Pete Smales orderd to leave on 29th April.
•	Munemo Farm, John Harris ordered to leave 29th April,(in defiance of a High Court Order) and he is currently beseiged in his house;
•	Mushangwe Farm, Alan Burl ordered to leave.
•	Dindingwe Farm, Julian Peel ordered to leave on 29th April.
The above are evictions for commercial farms in only one constituency out of Zimbabwe’s 120 constituencies and thereby merely indicate the scale of illegal evictions currently underway.

List of deaths resultant from political violence 1 January 2002 – 30 April 2002
Note: This list is subject to update and correction as and when new/additional information becomes available. 
Name, Political Affiliation if known, Date of Death, Province, Constituency
1.	BHEBHE, Newman (MDC), February 2002, Matabeleland North, Nkayi
2.	CHATUNGA, Richard, (MDC), 20 January 2002, Masvingo, Bikita East
3.	CHIDARI Micah, (Zanu PF), 2 April 2002, Mashonaland West, Mhondoro
4.	CHITEHWE, Mr, (ZNLWVA), January 2002, Harare, Hatfield
5.	DUBE, Nqobizita, (MDC), 1 March 2002, Bulawayo, Nkulumane
6.	FORD, Terry, (commercial farmer), 18 March 2002, Mashonland West, Mhondoro
7.	GATSI, Ernest, (MDC) 19 March 2002, Mashonaland Central, Guruve North
8.	GWAZE, Tafirenyika, (MDC polling agent Rukwenjere), 12 March 2002, Mashonaland East, Mutoko South
9.	GWIDZIMA, Noah, (Zanu PF), 4 April 2002, Manicaland, Makoni North
10.	JEFTHA, Peter, 3 March 2002, Harare, Harare South
11.	JEKA, Petros, (MDC polling agent), 4 April 2002, Masvingo, Masvingo North
12.	JERANYAMA, Donald, (MDC polling agent ), 25 March 2002, Manicaland, Mutasa
13.	KATSAMUDANGA, Tichaona (MDC), 5 February 2002, Harare, Harare North
14.	KUMALO, Khape, (MDC), 6 February 2002, Mashonaland West, Mhondoro
15.	KUVHEYA, Lawrence, (MDC), March 2002, Mashonaland East, Chikomba
16.	MAHUNI, Funny, 13 March 2002, Midlands, Kwekwe
17.	MANYARA, Owen, (MDC), 17 March 2002, Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin
18.	MAPHOSA, Richard, (MDC), 20 January 2002, Masvingo, Bikita East
19.	MAPHOSA, Stephen, (Zanu PF), 2 February 2002, Harare, Budiriro
20.	MAPINGURE, Atnos, , 9 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka
21.	MASARIRA, Gibson ,(Zanu PF), 9 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka 
22.	MASEVA, Amos Misheck, (ZNLWVA), 8 March 2002, Masvingo, Gutu North
23.	MATOPE, Kenneth, (MDC), 13 January 2002, Mashonaland Central, Guruve
24.	MIJONI, Simwanja, 15 January 2002, Midlands, Kwekwe
25.	MOYO, Henry, (MDC), 7 February 2002, Masvingo, Masvingo Central
26.	MPOFU, Muchenje, (MDC), 19 January 2002, Midlands, Mberengwa East
27.	MTETWA, Davis (MDC), 27 April 2002, Harare, Zengeza
28.	MUKAKAREI, Tabudamo, (MDC), 14 February 2002, Masvingo, Masvingo North
29.	Munyaradzi (no surname given) (farmworker), 14 February 2002, Mashonaland East, Marondera East
30.	MUNIKWA, Isaac, (Zanu PF), 17 January 2002, Masvingo, Zaka 
31.	MUPAWAENDA, Takatukwa Mamhova, 16 February 2002, Mashonaland West, Zvimba South
32.	MUTEMARINGA, Fungisai, (MDC), 27 January 2002, Mashonaland East, Murehwa
33.	NCUBE, Sambani (MDC), 17 March 2002, Matabeleland North, Hwange East
34.	NCUBE, Mthokozisi, (MDC), 26 January 2002, Bulawayo, Pelandaba
35.	NEMAIRE, Solomon, (MDC), 23 January 2002, Manicaland, Makoni
36.	NGUNDU, Shepherd, (MDC), 5 February 2002, Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin South
37.	NHITSA, Takesure, (MDC), 20 February 2002, Mashonaland Central, Rushinga
38.	NYANZIRA, Tariro, (Zanu PF), 8 February 2002, Manicaland, Buhera North
39.	PILOSI, Simon, (MDC), 26 March 2002, Mashonaland West, Zvimba South
40.	ROMIO, Edwin, (MDC polling agent), March 2002, Mashonaland East, Mutoko
41.	SANYAMAHWE, Kuziva, (MDC), 18 January 2002, Mashonaland East, Murehwa South
42.	SHELTON, Lloyd, (Zanu PF) 27 February 2002, Mashonaland East, Chikomba
43.	SIBANDA, Charles, (MDC), 2 March 2002, Midlands, Zhombe
44.	SIBANDA, James, (MDC), February 2002, Matabeleland North, Nkayi
45.	SIBINDI, Halaza, (MDC), 30 January 2002, Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho
46.	SIBINDI, Joseph, (MDC) January 2002, Bulawayo
47.	SICWE, Jameson, (MDC), 29 January 2002, Matabeleland North, Lupane
48.	Unnamed, (2), (farm guards), 23 January 2002, Masvingo, Mwenezi
49.	Unnamed, 26 February 2002, Bulawayo, Makokoba
50.	Unnamed (3 MDC supporters) 16 March 2002, Manicaland, Chipinge South
51.	VIKAVEKA, Darlington, (MDC), 15 March 2002, Mashonaland East, Marondera East
52.	WHITE, Fanuel, (MDC polling agent), 29 March 2002, Mashonaland Central, Guruve North

Total of 55 deaths
 (Political affiliation: MDC- 36; Zanu PF- 7, ZNLWVA- 2, Unknown/none- 10)

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (also known as the “Human Rights Forum”) has been in existence since January 1998. Nine non-governmental organisations 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 organised 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 Civic Education Trust
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
	Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association
Associate member: 
GALZ 

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