1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio

Trends and Patterns of Violence
In Mashonaland East, a reign of terror was allegedly unleashed on MDC supporters at the All
Souls Mission in Mutoko, a development that reportedly saw some victims seeking refuge in
nearby mountains painfully watching as their homesteads were burnt to the ground and
property looted while those badly injured and in need of medical acre were reportedly denied
access to hospitals as nurses were allegedly under instructions not to admit them.
The post era was also witness to fresh farm invasions in some parts of Masvingo,
Mashonaland West and Manicaland provinces. In Masvingo, war veterans invaded Goddard
Farm while in Mashonaland West a Kadoma farm belonging to Van Kirk and Cleveshay farm in
Muzvezve area were also invaded. Although invaders were reportedly ordered to vacate the
farm immediately, this development left the few remaining white commercial farmers living in
fear of the unknown given the unpredictability of war veterans.
Cases of extortion were also reportedly rampant across the country as villagers who had
“repented” of their support for the MDC T or returned to the village after elections were asked to
bring a cow or goat or money as “pardon” or “returnee” fee.
Harare residents experienced increasing levels of political coercion, residents in several high
density areas reportedly being frog marched to rallies and night pungwes while commuter
operators were instructed to have the ruling ZANU PF candidate’s poster and T shirts. Such
regalia and other party artifacts became symbols used by people for safety and protection from
the youths that wrecked havoc in high density areas. Vendors in areas such as Glenview in
Harare were given ZANU PF T shirts and it was compulsory to wear them to keep their market
stalls. Bases have been scattered all over urban areas.
Violation of human rights extended to the denial of information to citizens as residents were
reportedly asked to take down their satellite dishes in an operation code named Operation
Burutsa Dish [Operation Take Down Your Satellite Dish], the rationale of this operation being
that citizens were at risk of being exposed to the wrong news from outside Zimbabwe.
Towards the 27 June Run Off, invasion of privacy had reportedly scaled new heights with the
“police” reportedly asking people to hand over their cell phones at roadblocks so that they
would scroll through messages. This nefarious practice was reportedly prominent in Uzumba
where “police” manning roadblocks were allegedly demanding from commuters cell phones so
as to find out if there were any political messages in the phone.
Few weeks to the election also witnessed sporadic detentions of the MDC T presidential
candidate, disruptions of MDC campaign activities and impounding of their campaign vehicles,
arrest of MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti charged with treason and the arrest of at least 10
newly elected opposition legislators on various charges, developments that were clearly in
disregard of the mandate and honor which is normal accorded to an elected Member of
Parliament. A convoy of British and US diplomatic staff investigating reports of election violence
were reportedly stopped by a police roadblock in Bindura, the tyres of their vehicles slashed
and one of their drivers hauled from one of their diplomatic cars and beaten up.
Harassment of Rights Defenders
Human Rights NGOs also bore the brunt of retributive violence. There was widespread
harassment of human rights lawyers, journalists and others who were thought to be either
sympathetic to the opposition or did not give adequate coverage to the ruling party.
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