PIRF April 2007

 

The police, soldiers and state agents have predictably remained the highest perpetrators with a total of (22) 63% violations, followed by unknown assailants who had a total of (4) 11% violation out of 35 violations. The state, civilians and ZANU PF members and supporters all hold a total of (2) 6% violations making them the third highest perpetrators. The lowest perpetrators of the month of April were the Media houses, CIO’s and Youth Militia who had a total of (1) 3% violation out of 35 violations. 

On April 1: The Standard reported that officials at New Ziana fired Tapiwa Chininga for asking a police officer manning Kuwadzana police base on March 24 2007, “why the police were killing and torturing opposition activists”.[1]

 

On April 2: CPJ reported that on April 1 police in Harare assaulted and arrested, Gift Phiri of the London-based The Zimbabwean for “practicing journalism without accreditation by covering the recent unrest in Zimbabwe”. The CPJ quoted Rangu Nyamurundira of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights as saying, “he [Phiri] was charged under Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) after being assaulted on Sunday [April 1] by several police officers in Harare central police station”.[2]

On April 2: CPJ reported that an unknown perpetrator sent an anonymous brown envelop containing an alleged death listcircling the names of Gift Phiri and Wilf Mbanga (Zimbabwean journalists) among 27 others. According to the source the people on the lists were “allegedly targeted for executions by the Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps and the Zanu PF Security hit squad”.

On April 3: The Chronicle reported that on April 2 police in West Nicholson, Matabeleland South, arrested a British journalist working for the United Kingdom edition of The Time Magazine, Alexander John Perry for “sneaking into Zimbabwe without accreditation from the Media and Information Commission (MIC)”. The paper quoted police spokesman inspector Tafanana Dzikutwe as saying, “Perry was arrested for breaching Chapter 10:27 of AIPPA.” [3]According to the paper, Gwanda Provincial Magistrate Mr Enerst Chidawanyika, convicted Perry for contravening section 79(1) as read with section 80(1) (d) of AIPPA.[4]

On April 4: SW Radio Africa reported that on March 29 unknown assailants in Glen View assaulted and abducted Edward Chikomba, a journalist at the state broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). According to the radio he was later found dead in Darwendale on March 31. The radio correspondent was quoted as saying “You cannot tell at the moment but what we can simply confirm is that the style of abduction which was done on him [Chikomba] is also the same style of abductions on several MDC activists, some of them who have ended up in police custody and others were thrown in areas outside Harare, like Darwendale, Marondera and Goromonzi. So you cannot rule out that it is also a politically motivated abduction.” [5] 

 

 

On April 1: The Standard reported that on March 27 and 28 police in Harare arrested nine Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters for “masterminding the spate of petrol bombings that have occurred country wide”.[6] According to the paper the arrested MDC activists were being charged with contravening section 23 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.[7]

 

On April 2: The Herald reported that the government and other ordinary people in Zimbabwe condemned the two day stay away scheduled for April 3 and 4 called for by the ZCTU. According to the paper the government described the intended moves as, “unwarranted and counterproductive political posturing”.

On April 2: SW Radio Africa reported that on March 31 police in Harare rearrested eight MDC officials and activists, who were admitted in a hospital in Harare, for holding a series of demonstrations in Harare in the month of March.[8]. The radio station quoted Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa as saying, “some of those abducted from hospital were on intravenous drips but this did not deter the security agents who just ripped them out of their arms”.[9]No police report was given.

 

On April 4: SW Radio Africa reported that men believed to be state security agents threatened a student leader Chiedza Gadzirai, at Bindura University of Science Education, with rape “if she continued to harbour ‘terrorists,’ ” a reference to Promise Mkwananzi and Beloved Chiweshe [Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) officials].

On April 4: SW Radio Africa reported that university security guards at Masvingo State University (MASU) assaulted MASU students for distributing flyers at the university. According to the radio station, “The trio were part of a campaign team canvassing support from students ahead of elections set for the 5th of April”.

 

On April 4: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 3 suspected CIO agents in Milton Park Harare kidnapped at gun point Raymond Majongwe, the Secretary General of the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ) in connection with the planned ZCTU stay away. According to the paper, “it turns out Majongwe is also a member of the ZCTU general council and the PTUZ is an affiliate of the national labour body”. 

On April 5: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 4 anti-riot police in Harare attacked Budiriro and Glen View residents during the second day of the strike organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU). According to the paper “the residents said police accused them of piling up rocks and debris to block minibuses from taking workers to their jobs”. 

On April 8: The Standard reported that security agents shot Philip Katsande, a provincial executive member of the MDC Tsvangirai faction on the chest at his house early on April 7 during the continued abduction and torture by the state security agents. The paper quoted some MDC officials as saying, “police officers started beating up his wife and kids”. According to the paper MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said, “their lawyer, Otto Saki confirmed he was working on Katsande’s case but was still struggling to locate three other MDC activists allegedly abducted on the same night”.

 

On April 11: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 10 security agents in Bulawayo assaulted and abducted four Tsvangirai MDC faction activists as part of the state’s terror campaign against opposition activists. According to Nelson Chamisa a spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC faction, “over four activists were abducted on Tuesday [April 10] in Bulawayo”. The four include national executive member Sikululekile Nkala and Themba Nyathi from the Tsvangirai MDC faction. The Financial Gazette made the report on April 13.

 

 On April 11: SW Radio Africa reported that police in Harare intimidated the workers at Lucky 7 supermarket at Mishi Shopping Centre in Mufakose. According to the paper the police demanded to know, “where the workers were taken for treatment following their assault by armed policemen last month”. No police report was given.

 

 On April 11: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 5 a government sponsored youth gang Chipangano terror group threatened the wife of the late National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) activist and opposition supporter, Gift Tandare with torture and rape. According to Crisis Coalition’s report, “members of the notorious Chipangano terror group visited the home of the late Gift Tandare in Glen View last Thursday [April5] chanting ZANU-PF slogans. They ordered his widow to provide them with the names of members of the NCA who attended the funeral of the slain activist in his rural home of Mhondoro”.

 

 On April 11: SW Radio Africa reported that state security agents in Masvingo intimidated Tongai Matutu, the MDC MP for Masvingo central by making him their “prime target of trouble makers” in the town.

 

 On April 11: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 10 soldiers in Mutare assaulted Paul Sherini, a general hand at Crest Distributors in Mutare, for having a white opposition employer, Brian James who is also the Tsvangirai-MDC provincial treasurer. The MDC Manicaland spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya confirmed the attack and was quoted as saying; “The main reason [of Sherini’s attack] being that he works for an MDC executive member and that he is working for a white man.” The radio also quoted Sherini as saying, “the soldiers beat him on the buttocks and all over his body” adding that “he was targeted as he was walking with colleagues in Penhalonga just outside Mutare, when the soldiers saw him carrying his work uniform”.

 

On April 13: The Financial Gazettereported that on April 10 unidentified armed men in Harare abducted two activists, Darlington Madzonga, a former Harare chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly and Godfrey Costa in the city centre. According to the paper, the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) reported to the paper that the reasons of the abductions were unknown. The paper quoted them as saying, “the reasons for their abductions are yet to be established and we do not know their whereabouts.” [10]

On April 15: The Standard reported that armed soldiers guarding Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH’s) Mbare studios in Harare harassed pedestrians accusing them of being a member of the MDC’s so called Democratic Resistance Committees (DRC’s). According to the paper Temerity Gunidza of Mbare who sells fruit was harassed and was quoted by the paper as saying, “they ate some of my bananas before they forced me to roll in the dirty water”.

On April 17: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 14 police in Bulawayo arrested three MDC activists in Sizinda suburb of Bulawayo. The arrested include Nqobile Mguni, Pius Mpofu and Thubelihle Siwela. According to the radio station the police said, “They were charging them with various offences but would not specify any of them”.   

On April 17: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 15 police in Chitungiwza abducted the MDC councillor named Moses Tsikwa as part of their campaign to harass MDC supporters. No police report was given.

 

On April 18: SW Radio Africa reported that police in Harare forced street vendors and other people to attend Mugabe’s Independence Day address at Rufaro stadium in Harare. No police report was given.

On April 18: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 18 police in Chitungwiza disrupted a rally held by Zimbabwe Youth Movement (ZYM) in Chitungwiza at the Huruyadzo shopping centre and arrested five youth leaders for organizing the rally. One spokesman of the group was quoted by the radio station as saying, “police began beating up people at a nearby bar without provocation and everything went out of control from there on”. According to ZINASU President, Promise Mkwananzi, “police details deployed were armed with AK-47 rifles, accompanied by police dogs and indiscriminately fired teargas canisters at the shopping centre”. [11] 

On April 20: The Financial Gazette reported that the government threatened to ban non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) for being seen as allies to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).[12] The paper quoted the Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu on ZBC saying, “the government would deregister NGOs that have been fingered in what ZANU PF claims is a plot to destabilise the country”. He added that, “the move would weed out those that are effecting regime change in the country”.[13] 

On April 22: The Standard reported that on April 19 police in Bulawayo arrested activists of WOZA and MOZA for “staging protest sit-ins at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) offices in Bulawayo against frequent power cuts that have destroyed many costly electrical appliances”. According to the paper the arrested were charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act .The paper quoted the WOZA leader Jenni Williams as saying “they were protesting against the now frequent load shedding by ZESA that has left thousands of residents with damaged appliances”.[14]

On April 23: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 20 and 21 suspected state operatives abducted more than three senior members of the MDC from their homes. The abducted include the Deputy National Organising Secretary Morgan Komichi, the Director of Elections Dennis Murira and his wife, plus Organising Secretary for Glen Norah Elliot Motsi and his three sons. No police report was given.[15]

On April 25: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 24 the Masvingo State University authorities fired two of its lecturers and dismissed two of its student leaders for demanding a 200 percent hike on their salaries and protesting against the increase in boarding fees from Z$345 000 to Z$800 000 per semester. According to the radio station Takavafira Zhou, President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), was one of the lecturers that were fired. He was quoted as saying, “the officials accused him of organising the strike action”.

On April 26: Financial Gazette reported that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested two police detectives “over claims that they helped feed detained opposition activists and have been leaking sensitive information to the MDC in a purge that is likely to spill into the top echelons of the force”. According to the paper “the Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) is accusing Niros Muyashu and Paul Kavhurangara, tasked with leading the gathering of information that could constitute a state case against opposition activists, of leaking useful leads to the MDC on every aspect of the investigation.”

On April 27: SW Radio Africa reported that on April 26 unidentified men wearing black suits and driving an unregistered Mazda 323 vehicle abducted Tafadzwa Chengewa the President of the Students Union at Hillside Teachers College from his campus residence in Bulawayo. The radio station quoted ZINASU president Promise Mkwananzi as saying “the vehicle has been used to abduct other student leaders and activists. Colleges in Bulawayo and surrounding areas were searched, and lawyers have been engaged to assist in the search for Chengewa”.

On April 28:  SW Radio Africa reported that on April 23 police in Kuwadzana arrested 56 members (36 women, 20 men and 10 babies) of WOZA for holding a demonstration demanding ‘power to the people’ at the offices of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The radio stations Harare correspondent was Simon Muchemwa quoted as saying “the peaceful protesters held a sit-in within the ZESA power sub station in.” He went on to say, “during that time police officers from Kuwadzana police station came running and armed. They were about seven armed police officers and about five police officers on bicycles. They rounded up everyone who was seated protesting and they were made to march to the police station which is about 200 metres away.”

On April 29: The Standard reported that on April 26 police in Bulawayo barred organisers of the Umthwakazi Arts Festival from launching the annual festival at the large city hall. The paper quoted the Umthwakazi publicity officer, Kholiwe Nyoni confirming the incident adding that the police that the police indicated the launch could not go ahead as it was not cleared. “To us it was a private function like the ones we usually have. Police also said they were understaffed.” No police report was given.

 

On April 29: The Standard reported that on April 28 Zanu PF supporters of retired Major Alex Mudavanhu faction severely assaulted the Chivi North MP Enita Maziriri of the Paul Mangwana faction for backing Paul Mangwana who was bidding to launch his political career after being ejected from Mashonaland West by Zezuru politicians who said they would not be represented by a Karanga in Parliament.

 

On April 30: SW Radio Africa reported that police in Manicaland arrested Pishai Muchauraya, the Information Officer for the Tsvangirai led faction of the MDC in Manicaland in connection with the recent bombings that have been taking place in Zimbabwe. No police report was given. The radio quoted Muchauraya’s phone text message that he wrote when he was being driven to Mutare, as saying, “They are taking me to Harare in connection with recent bombings. I have been beaten five times so far.”

On April 30: SW Radio Africa reported that Zanu PF thugs in Mashonaland East, West, Central and Masvingo threatened labour officials with “forced evictions from their homes, assault and even murder if they went ahead with the celebrations [May Day Celebrations]”. The paper quoted ZCTU Information Officer Khumbulani Ndlovu as saying, “Rallies planned for Marondera, Bindura and Norton had to be cancelled over concerns for the safety of workers following the threats from individuals aligned with Zanu PF”.

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