SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
7 August 2008
Jawet Kazangarare, a notorious war veteran accused of stabbing to death MDC activist Tapiwa Mubwanda, continues his reign of terror in the Hurungwe District of Mashonaland West, despite the ongoing power sharing talks.
In April this year Kazangarare killed Mubwanda, a prison guard who supported the MDC, and with the help of 300 Zanu PF militia displaced many hundreds of people in the area. With levels of violence subsiding and displaced villagers trying to come back to their abandoned homes, Kazangarare is said to be demanding payment in the form of cattle, goats and chickens before he allows them back. Those who refuse to make the payments are being subjected to further violence and intimidation.
Because of food shortages in the country Zanu PF militia are relying on food confiscated from the victims of their violence.
Despite being briefly detained by police Kazangarare, who is still a serving soldier, was released on the orders of Zanu PF senator Rueben Murumahoko and former Zanu PF governor Peter Chanetsa. Newsreel spoke to Gift Konjana the MDC Secretary for Mashonaland West who confirmed that violence in the area continued. Five families that had camped in Harare after fleeing violence in the area attempted to go back home a few days ago, only to come back saying nothing had changed.
Further up north in Kariba in the Musambakaruma area, reports of continued violence are also still being received. Although most torture bases in the area have been dismantled, Zanu PF thugs are said to be gathering in large numbers at pre-arranged times before unleashing violence on suspected opposition supporters. Other reports from the Zaka area of Masvingo suggest violence is also continuing. MDC supporters are being forced to go to Zanu PF torture bases and told that despite Zanu PF candidates losing in parliamentary and council elections, the MDC would not be allowed to run anything in the area. MDC councils have already been sworn in the area but this has not deterred Zanu PF intimidation.
The South African Council of Churches has meanwhile said if violence in the country is not curbed it could undermine the legitimacy of any agreement between Zanu PF and the MDC. The groups President, Tinyiko Maluleke, said a political agreement served no use if ordinary people 'are living in the midst of death.' The council said it was alarmed at the frequent reports of atrocities, including the hacking off of opponent's limbs. 'Zimbabweans are suffering, they are dying and Robert Mugabe's government has the primary responsibility to act immediately and decisively to halt the violence,' Maluleke said.
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