SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
7 July 2008
As the numbers of displaced Zimbabweans continues to grow, the safety of refugees has become a matter of serious concern after armed militia raided two camps of people fleeing post election violence.
There have been reports that several people died after armed men stormed a camp in Gokwe, but we have been unable to confirm the claims.
At the same time, another group of displaced victims also became targets of militia thugs in Ruwa late on Sunday night. The group of 354 men, women and children had been removed to the so-called place of safety after seeking shelter at the South African embassy, in the week leading up to the sham run-off poll.
The group of refugees had fled their homes in Epworth after the extreme violence there and sought shelter and safety at the embassy in Harare. Their removal to Ruwa was part of an agreement facilitated by South Africa's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Lungisi Makalima.
Other organisations that supported the move include the Zimbabwean National and the International Red Cross. The Zimbabwean Red Cross however is unfortunately heavily compromised in its agreement to care for the refugees, because of suggestions of links with Zanu PF.
The group were taking shelter at a state rehabilitation centre in Ruwa, and despite promises by both embassy officials and the Red Cross that security would be provided, the group were forced to set up their own security patrols.
Eight people were hospitalised after masked men with shotguns stormed the shelter in Ruwa at around midnight and attacked the refugees. Another 14 people, mostly young men from the security patrols set up by the camp, are missing.
Meanwhile, another group of refugees who sought shelter at the US embassy last week have all been moved to charity safe houses and to a settlement camp set up by embassy officials on private land.
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