1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio

Introduction
CHAPTER FIVE
THE RUN UP TO THE 27 JUNE PRESIDENTIAL RUN OFF
While the run up to the 29 March 2008 harmonized elections was relatively calm, scenarios in
the post election period cast an incomparable trend. Following the release of the four-week
delayed presidential results on 2 May 2008, the run up to the 27 June run off degenerated into
a run over leaving in its wake a trail of destruction, houses burnt down, many people displaced
and homeless, orphaned and homeless children and communities torn asunder.
As chronicled in SADC and AU Election Observer Mission Reports as well as ZPP June and
July 2008 Post Violence Monitoring Reports, among other reliable sources; freedom of
assembly was heavily violates while opposition campaigns were under total blackout on ZTV,
the opposition leadership subjected to sporadic arrests and detentions while their campaign
vehicles and buses were reportedly impounded
In most rural areas, freedom of movement was severely restricted as “clearance” had to be
sought even for those seeking medical attention outside. With the creation of base camps in
some provinces, harassment and abuse of rural communities became widespread with rural
people reportedly being asked to bring food stuff to sustain operations at these base camps
while young girls provided housekeeping services.
Children were not also spared as they painfully watched their parents, sisters and brothers
beaten, their family homes burnt to the ground, their teachers publicly humiliated, and their
learning activities disrupted as some schools were reportedly closed and turned into base
camps.
With a few weeks to the 27 June run off, evocations of war reportedly became rampant in
ZANU PF campaign rallies as well as state owned print and electronic media. Campaigns by
the ZANU PF presidential candidate, Robert Mugabe were awash with threats of war with
statements such as “Zimbabwe was won through the bullet and not through the ballot” allegedly
reiterated in ZANU PF campaign messages. The threat of post election war reverberated
across the country with Major General Engelbert Rugejo, among others, reportedly quoted
saying “This country came through the bullet, not the pencil. Therefore it will not go by your X
[voting mark] of the pencil----“ at the funeral wake of late national hero, Retired Lieutenant
General Amoth Chimombe in Zaka East [Financial Gazette, June 10-25 2008].
Statistical Incidents Spread
April alone witnessed 4359 incidents of violence indicating a 470% increase in monthly
recordings from pre election levels of 795 [ZPP May 2008 Report]. By May, election violence
had shot up to 6288 in May with June and July records however showing election violence
stubbornly retreating to 3735 and 1123 respectively. By July, a cumulative total of 17 605
incidents had been recorded. To date recorded and verified cases are as follows; 171 deaths,
9148 assaults and 16 rape cases.
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