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