PIRF August 2006

The police have emerged as the highest perpetrators with ten (77%) out of 13 violations. Zanu PF seized the second slot by committing two violations (15%). Civilians were implicated in one (8%) violation out of 13 violations.

 

Civic Organisations were the highest target with 4 (31%) out of the 13 violations. The MDC did not commit any violations in the period under review.

On August 5: The Herald reported that on August 2 members of the public chased away members of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) from the ZIBF for pitching their stand at the fair. The Association was accused of being inhuman. There was no evidence that the paper sought police comment1.

 

On August 6: The Sunday Mail reported that police officers disrupted a demonstration by a team of ZANU PF youths led by Simbarashe Marumahoko and Andrew Hwata in solidarity with Justin Body, their friend who had been evicted from Elephant Walk Farm in Karoi during the land resettlement exercise. According to the paper, the youths were subsequently arrested for manhandling a police officer and were charged with contravening the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

On August 6: The Standard reported that on August 4 police in Harare arrested and detained four2 senior leaders of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe on allegations that they were planning to form a new political party a charge they dismissed as false. SW Radio Africa (August 7^th) also reported on the incident. This Incident occurred just outside Harare. In the end the police did not charge the church leaders.

 

On August 7: SW Radio Africa reported that on August 1 police in Chinhoyi questioned two ZCTU staff members regarding flyers that were confiscated from their office in the previous week. The radio station quoted ZCTU spokesperson Mlamleli Sibanda as saying the flyers contained information for workers about how to deal with taxes which, the police claim is subversive and likely to incite public violence. According to the radio station, the two Michael Kandukutu and Wilson Kambanje were charged under the Criminal law (Codification and Reform) Act of 2004.

 

On August 8: Zim Online (SA) reported that police in Gwanda detained and interrogated two members of Bulawayo Agenda, a Bulawayo–based civic group, Linda Mpofu and Sichelesile Ndlovu for over an hour on allegations of conducting an illegal political workshop on July 29 in Gwanda. The online news source quoted Bulawayo Agenda logistics officer Busani Ncube as saying   the police wanted to charge the two for allegedly obstructing the course of justice and “promoting subversive material and political propaganda.” There paper did not carry a police comment.

 

On August 9: SW Radio Africa reported that on August 7 police in Chitungwiza arrested 21 Chitungwiza for demonstrating against the council’s decision to hike water charges by 1000% and poor service delivery. The radio station quoted their defence lawyer; Edmore Jori from Wintertons Legal Practitioners as saying most of those arrested did not even take part in the demonstration as they were just picked up from the streets and their homes adding that the 21 residents were charged under POSA for inciting other people to join an illegal gathering. The 21 were part of 5000 residents who demonstrated.

On August 11: The Daily Mirror reported that on August 8 police in Chitungwiza arrested two MDC legislators Job Sikhala and Goodrich Chimbara and charged them under section 37 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act3 under Section 31 for attending a gathering at the Chitungwiza Municipality “with the intention of promoting violence”. The paper quoted their lawyer as saying say the pair was released on Z$300 (revalued) bail each.

 

On August 16: The Daily Mirror reported that on August 12^th police in Bulawayo arrested MDC Mpopoma /Pelandaba legislator Milton Gwetu and four other officials4 from the Arthur Mutambara led MDC faction for allegedly holding an illegal meeting. The paper quoted the party’s deputy secretary general Priscilla Misihairambwi–Mushonga as saying the five were detained at Nkulumane Police Station before being transferred to Bulawayo Central and were charged under the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). A SW Radio Africa report of August 14 also reported on the same issue. Both reports did not carry police comment.

On August 14:The Herald reported that on August 12^th riot police at Mazowe Gold Mine arrested 19 wives of mine workers for demonstrating over three months back pay owed to their husbands. The paper quoted police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka as having confirmed that the 19 were handed over to Law and Order section for the determination of appropriate charges. The Chronicleof the same day also carried the same report.

 

On August 15: The Herald reported that on August 11 police in Mazowe arrested Comoil Managing Director, Tichaona Beverly Muchabaiwa at a roadblock for insulting President Robert Mugabe. The paper quoted police Inspector Andrew Phiri who confirmed the arrest adding police would prefer two charges against Mubaiwa for contravening section 33 2(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and another charge of resisting arrest. The paper was not clear on the insulting statement allegedly made by the victim.

 

On August 22: SW Radio Africa reported that on August 21 police in Bulawayo arrested 180 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) for “participating in a gathering with the intent to promote public violence or a breach of the peace”. According to the radio station, the WOZA members were arrested while marching towards the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) offices to deliver an open letter to the RBZ Governor Gideon Gono protesting the currency changes that have caused chaos in the country. The radio station quoted WOZA Coordinator Jenni Williams as saying the whole group has signed warned and cautioned statements and would be charged under Section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

 

On August 24: SW Radio Africa reported that on August 20 Zanu PF youths frogmarched people from surrounding compounds at Bema Farm to a rally addressed by Elliot Manyika. According to the radio station, during the rally several MDC supporters were pinpointed and made to stand up during a ‘naming and shaming exercise”.

 

On August 24: SW Radio Africa reported that ZANU PF supporters in the Matepatepa area of Bindura burnt down four houses and beat up opposition supporters resulting in the death of a 19-year old irrigation assistant. According to the radio station police had confirmed the death but were refusing to disclose any further details. The radio station also quoted an unnamed spokesperson of the Tsvangirai MDC in the area as saying Elliot Manyika and Ephraim Masawi (the governor for the province) were leading the reign of terror adding that with local government elections approaching the two had declared the province a no-go area for the MDC.

---