SW Radio Africa (London)

Zimbabwe: Two More MDC Activists Die From Assault Injuries

Lance Guma

29 August 2008


The tragic after effects of a violent ZANU PF campaign continue to be felt in the country with the death of 2 more MDC activists who succumbed to their injuries this week.

Annette Chiremba, who was hospitalised at Rusape hospital after being beaten up, and Justice Gundumura, also beaten by ZANU PF militia before being illegally detained at Mutare Central Prison, both died on Thursday. They were attacked in the run-up to the June 27 one man presidential run-off from which MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew citing the violence.

Speaking to Newsreel on Friday MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said because some areas were sealed off by ruling party militia, the death toll continues to mount as more information trickles in on what happened. So far the party has accounted for 131 activists and officials killed including Chiremba and Gundumura who passed away this week.

Maxwell Magoche Tongodiwa from the Chibara area of Mashonaland West succumbed to his injuries on the 6th August. Militia led by L Chikede the ZANU PF district coordinating chairman, assaulted Tongodiwa after accusing him of bringing MDC campaign posters and fliers into the area. Christine Chinozingwa, Zanu PF Women's League Chairlady was accused of instigating the attack. According to the doctor's report Tongodiwa died from liver puncture caused by a broken rib. His liver later swelled leading to his painful death.

Asked if there were still incidents of violence now that talks between ZANU PF and the MDC had resumed Chamisa said there were still pockets of violence in some areas. "There is still a lot of tension around and the infrastructure of violence remains intact," Chamisa said. He argued that ZANU PF's engagement in the process of dialogue was clearly a very 'un-natural' process for ZANU PF because, "the default setting of this regime is violence."

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Author: prem
Sat Aug 30 19:16:38 2008

Where are the Mugabe fans? Why monster Mugabe should tolerate his thugs killing innocents? Why the culprits cannot be prosecuted? Is it because the judges are busy in their farms rather than in their chambers?

Lunatic Mugabe must bear all responsibility. He will surely be dragged to a criminal court one day!

Author: Makasa
Sat Aug 30 22:33:38 2008

So sad to see innocent people hurt because they take a stand against a demon like Bob o ! Not a word out of Phiri, AKA 47 or what ever he calls himself or loser . Funny how they disappear when more misery is meted out on the people of Zimbabwe and they refuse to be honest enough to admit to what scum runs Zimbabwe. So easy to hide behind armed thugs but if called out in the open , would they show ? Wake up you morons , the rubbish you write on these pages only… [Read Full Text]

Author: akapfunde1
Sun Aug 31 13:18:32 2008

You are a loser, muzungu. Its no use entering into any discourse with you. You are too emotional and vulgar. No one celebrates the death of any one, not even your good self. But we have to take things into context. If some one chooses to handle a live cobra by its head and gets bitten ... why cry and blame the snake?? RMG has the apparatus of State at his hands, show him respect even if you abhor him. Work your way around with care. In the early 1960s we used to riot at Machipisa in Highfield, eg… [Read Full Text]

Author: awt_independent
Sun Aug 31 13:35:53 2008

Comparing Mugabe to a cobra is truely disgusting. It reminds me of the Australian Muslim cleric that said you shouldnt blame rapists, because you shouldnt blame a dog when it sees raw meat in front of it. This is people lives. Not getting bitten by a cobra. So you dont think its a problem that opposition supporters are being murdered then? You disgust me you pathetic old man.

Author: Makasa
Sun Aug 31 14:38:07 2008

Watch who you are calling Mzungu , Satanyoko, people like you have hurt Afrikans everywhere with stupidity. Allowing the "Cobra" to exist is bad enough without people like you getting involved with useless banter, it proves why Afrika is in such a mess. Ishe Kombera Afrika !

Author: rob1827
Sun Aug 31 22:30:13 2008

Interesting allegory about a Cobra. From the mouth of Mugabe in 1982: Mugabe said. "ZAPU and its leader, Dr Joshua Nkomo, are like a cobra in a house. The only way to deal effectively with a snake is to strike and destroy its head."

Author: mo fire
Mon Sep 1 02:33:21 2008

At least you acknowledge the fact that mugabe is a snake.We do not want a poisonous evil snake running our beloved country.

Author: onesoulzim1
Sun Aug 31 01:14:18 2008

Just feeding the western media gallery to justify western ill conceived sanctions. There is no more violence now, our countrymen are seeking an economic solution and electioneering is over for them. This is exactly how it all started ten yrs ago with the same bad-mouthed naïve politicians demonized Zimbabweans and thus invited economic maladies to justify illegal regime change. No wonder why they behave like chimpanzees in parliament.

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