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Zimbabwe: Parties Trade Accusations As Terror Escalates in Countryside
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Financial Gazette (Harare)
17 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Njabulo Ncube
Harare
ACCUSATIONS and counter-accusations are being traded between ZANU-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the wake of violence in areas where the ruling party lost to the main opposition.
The Financial Gazette was this week shown pictures, which the MDC claims show its brutalised supporters, mainly from Mashonaland provinces.
According to the MDC, the hardest hit areas include Mudzi East, Masvingo, Karoi, Mutoko, Hwange and Lupane.
MDC deputy president Thokozani Khupe this week claimed at a press conference that an MDC supporter, Tapiwa Mbwanda, was stabbed to death by a ZANU-PF militia group allegedly led by a "commander" known as Bhiro Kaunda.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said the death could not immediately be linked to political violence, adding that he was yet to get details.
ZANU-PF this week declined responsibility for the violence that has flared up in the countryside.
The party's deputy chairman of youth Saviour Kasukuwere alleged yesterday that the MDC had a hand in the skirmishes cited.
He said the MDC was the instigator of violence but has always been quick to apportion blame to ZANU-PF.
Kasukuwere, who is also the newly elected legislator for Mount Darwin South said his party had received reports that MDC thugs were burning houses of ZANU-PF supporters.
"I am not aware that our youths or ZANU-PF supporters are on a revenge mission," he said. "What I know is that the MDC people are burning houses of ZANU-PF supporters around the country. You can go and check for yourself," he added.
The MDC has produced an 8-page post-election violence report in which it chronicles alleged incidents of terror starting on March 29 to April 13, including the alleged murder of Mbwanda.
The party also alleges a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation shot Munyekeni Ganye in both legs on Saturday.
Ganye, an MDC supporter was admitted at Gokwe hospital but due to his critical condition he might be transferred to a private hospital in Harare.
Nelson Chamisa, the MDC spokesman, said about 500 opposition supporters were hounded out of their homes in Mutare South and are currently sleeping in the open.
"This is just a tip of the iceberg, there is terror out there. Our supporters are under siege from state sponsored violence," said Chamisa.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), a pressure group, has released separate reports on what it says is a reign of terror in rural areas since the March elections.
ZPP, which has at least two officials in all 210 House of Assembly constituencies, alleged that war veterans had stepped up violent campaigns in Mashonaland, Manicaland and Masvingo, provinces previously perceived as ruling party strongholds but where the MDC won.
In Mudzi, bases have allegedly been established at Nyamapanda, Kotwa, Suswe and Chifamba. War veterans are reportedly holding meetings in villages.
Villagers known to be MDC supporters are allegedly being detained. The war veterans have allegedly instructed all hospitals not to attend to opposition supporters.
In Mutoko North and South, the MDC and its allies alleged a reign of terror has been sweeping the Mashonaland East province.
But Ray Kaukonde, the ZANU-PF chairman for Mashonaland East told The Financial Gazette yesterday he had not received any reports of violence.
"I should be the first person to know, I have not heard of any beatings or violence in my province. I am one person who does not beat about the bush, if I had been informed of any incidents of violence I would have confirmed it," said Kaukonde. "Police in my province have not told me of any violence. Nonetheless, I am going to check with them," he said.
In the Zimuto district of Masvingo, reports say a group of ZANU-PF militants assaulted headman Gurajena, accusing him of influencing his people to vote for MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, Crisis in Zimbabwe quoted villagers as saying.
The militia allegedly broke down the headman's door, beat him and his wife using metal rods and sticks. Gurajena allegedly lost two front teeth and broke a rib while his wife sustained fractures on both legs. They are currently hospitalised in Harare.
The couple say they managed to identify eight of the militants; including one Navhaya, who contested as a ZANU-PF councilor, and two other militants known as AK 47.
In Chivhu, ZANU-PF militants undressed an elderly woman, identified as Mai Madza, accusing her of supporting the MDC.
In Victoria Falls reports also said ZANU-PF had mobilised militia to "punish" perceived MDC supporters, under a campaign codenamed "Clean up Sell-Outs", the rights groups said.
The Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights said yesterday 157 people had been treated for injuries resulting from beatings.
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A High Court judge will rule today on an MDC bid to block Saturday's vote recount.
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