SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
14 May 2008
analysis
Post election violence sponsored by the losing Zanu PF party has now claimed the lives of 32 people, according to the MDC.
The party released a statement saying 8 more deaths were recorded in the last 72 hours.
Of concern however is that many more deaths are going unreported as state security agents block post mortems and force relatives to bury loved ones secretly.
Two activists were killed in Gokwe Nembudziya after Zanu PF militia led by army Major Moyo attacked them Sunday evening. Isaac Danda was stabbed with a knife and died on the spot while an 84-year man identified as Gomwe was axed on the head and died on the way to Gokwe Hospital. The incidents took place in the Tsungai area.
Major Moyo is leading the terror campaign and his thugs looted and later burnt down a shop belonging to the MDC senatorial candidate Liah Nyathi. MDC parliamentary candidate Kizito Mbiriza tried to file a report with the police but was instead arrested. The MDC say he is still in custody. Several party sympathisers running businesses in the area have also had their premises destroyed by the militants. The March 29 poll handed control of parliament to the opposition and MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai beat Robert Mugabe in the presidential race, but Mugabe's regime has gone on to sanction a retribution exercise that is thought to have one eye on an expected presidential run-off.
Zanu PF militants also killed 29-year old Nelson Emmanuel at his home in Hopley Farm, Harare South. He was buried on Sunday, leaving behind a wife and a 3-year old daughter. In the Mashonaland East area of Uzumba, 3 more MDC activists were killed on Saturday the 10th May. Musafare Mudimu, Karombe Benson Chipingu both of Manyika village, and Ruth Mushayahembe of Chimbwanda village, all lost their lives to senseless post election brutality. On Monday Newsreel reported how village headman Elias Madzivanzira from Shamva North in Mashonaland Central was axed to death by Zanu PF youths. His killers were named as war veterans Muroyiwa and Joshua who are based at Bata Farm.
A 62-year old man Edward Tadya survived an attack by war veterans on Monday when they fired 4 shots into his home. Tadya, the Chairman of the MDC in Mutasa Central, refused to open the door to his house and allow the war vets in. The mob then used a nearby window to get their guns in and fire at him from close range. Two shots missed him while one grazed his left ear and the other hit his right hand.
Ketayi Makosa, the MDC candidate for Muzvezve constituency in the Midlands, was arrested Saturday and spent 3 days in custody at Eiffel Flats police station. He was accused of threatening Zanu PF supporters, a highly improbable charge given the party's use of state security resources. Journalists, trade unionists, lawyers, students and recently diplomats, have all been targeted in the crackdown. ZCTU leaders Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibhebhe are still in police custody over trumped up charges they incited people to revolt against the government.
In an earlier attack Brighton Mabwera, a 5-year old, was burnt to ashes on the 17th April at Manyika village when militants burnt down his parents home. At least 2 others were killed during the same attack.
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network meanwhile reports that its observers for the March 29 election are under siege from Zanu PF militants in Mt Darwin. At least 4 observers and 2 of their relatives were seriously assaulted, leading to their admission in hospital. They are being accused of facilitating an MDC victory when all they did was observe the election. A ZESN statement said some of their observers are now hiding in the bush since the attacks began on Sunday the 11th May. Others have had to walk long distances to seek refuge in Harare and other areas. Village headman Antony Jongwe and Zanu PF district chairperson Viola Muchenje have been implicated in the attacks.
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