The ZIMBABWE Situation | Our
thoughts and prayers are with Zimbabwe - may peace, truth and justice prevail. |
LIST OF MDC OFFICIALS WHO
HAVE BEEN ARRESTED
The following is a list of MDC senior officials and
supporters who have been arrested since the parliamentary election in 2000.
Name No of arrests pending cases acquitals/dropped
M. Tsvangirai
4 1
3
R Bennet
8 nil
8
G. Sibanda 2
nil
2
Job Sikhala
15 2
13
T Musekiwa
6 nil
6
N Chamisa
6 3
3
T Stevenson
2 nil
2
T B Biti
2 nil
2
P Madzore 4
1
3
A Bhebhe
3 2
1
G Mtombeni
2 2
P Nyoni
2 1
1
E Masaiti
2 nil
2
M Mzila Ndlovu
2 nil
2
E Mashavire
6 nil
6
E Mukwasi (late)
9 1
8
W Chigoro
7 nil
7
S Sibanda
6 1
5
B Chakururama
6 1
5
E Kauzani
6 1
5
S Muringwa 4
nil
4
A Manyere
4 nil
4
E Matika 4
nil
4
M Chambwera
4 nil
4
N Murove
4 nil
4
S Katandika
4 nil
4
N Mapopota
3 nil
3
G Masauso
3 nil
3
M Musaemura
3 nil
3
M Sithole
3 nil
3
M Taengwa
9 nil
9
G Mubaiwa (late) 5
nil
5
G Tauya 4
nil
4
T Wunganayi
2 nil
2
P Tsvangirai 6
nil
6
S Mukoyi 6
1
5
D Mukoyi 2
nil
2
H Mudokwani
4 nil
4
A Muzangwa
6 nil
6
F Chamboko
3 nil
3
T Matsitsira
4
nil
4
A Tazvigoni
2
nil
2
T Nyamushanya 3
nil
3
E Marima
3
nil
3
E Machingura
4 nil
4
D Karanda
4
1
3
P Meki (late) 3
nil
3
B Chigonero 3
1
2
E Mazai
4
nil
4
S Chikowero 4 1
3
W Mapfumo 4
nil
4
T Ndira
5
1
4
M Gonhi 5
nil
5
T Spicer
5
3
2
H Karimakwenda
3 nil
3
F Saenjere
2
nil
2
C Jayi 2
nil
2
J Gukwe
2
nil
2
J Tsuro
2
nil
2
E Chitsvuure 4
1
3
E Nyazambi
2
nil
2
O Makwani
2
nil
2
C Marima
2
nil
2
Below are detailed accounts of some of the cases
Tsvangirai, Morgan
MDC
President. Is currently on trial on tramped up charges of plotting to
assassinate Mugabe. He is jointly charged with the party’s Secretary-General,
Welshman Ncube, and the party’s Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Renson Gasela.
On 25
July, 2002, President Tsvangirai was summoned to the law and order department of
Harare Central Police Station, where he was charged under Section 5 of the
notorious Public Order and Security Act (POSA) over a remark allegedly made at a
rally in Gwanda on 26 May 2002, where he is alleged to have said “ We are
certainly going to deal with Mugabe, but we cannot reveal our plans because
nobody skins the foul-smelling civet cat in public.” President Tsvangirai denies
saying these words.
In 2000,
government tried to use the now repealed Law and Order (Maintenance) Act to fix
him after the State had charged Tsvangirai with treason for allegedly
threatening to remove Mugabe from office violently when he addressed a rally at
Rufaro Stadium. The sections of the Act were found unconstitutional by the
courts.
Sibanda, Gibson Jima
The MDC’s
vice-president was taken to court on charges of inciting violence at a rally at
White City Stadium in September 2001. Sibanda had said that MDC structures were
being prevented from holding meetings because of constant disruption as a result
of attacks by Zanu PF youth. Initially he was charged under the Law and Order
Maintenance Act. He first appeared in court on 15/05/02. The charges were
finally dropped before plea in January 2003.
Ncube, Welshman
MDC
Secretary General and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo North-East. Arrested on
11/03/02 at Plumtree Border Town and remanded on bail on charges of high treason
on 12 March 2003. It is alleged that together with the party’s president, Morgan
Tsvangirai and Shadow Minister of Agriculture, they plotted to assassinate
Mugabe. He is currently on trial in the High Court of
Zimbabwe.
Dulini-Ncube, Fletcher
MDC’s
National Treasurer and Member of Parliament for Lobengula-Magwegwe Constituency.
Arrested in November 2001 and charged for alleged involvement in the murder of
Cain Nkala. His house had been searched prior to his arrest, while he was in
Harare. He is accused of having encouraged MDC youth to kill all war veterans,
civil servants and Zanu PF activists, and given 1.4 million South African rands
to MDC youth who were instructed to murder Nkala. He was held in custody
illegally until late December 2001 when he was finally released following High
Court orders.
He had
been out of custody on $100 000.00 bail since late December 2001, and had been
reporting to the police twice a week, but was arrested again on 3 August 2002
from a hospital bed at Matei Dei Hospital in Bulawayo where one of his eyes was
removed. He was kept in police custody over the weekend despite letters from his
doctors stating that his eye would become septic and affect the brain if he was
detained in any other conditions other than in the hospital. He was taken back
to hospital after intervention by his
lawyers.
Dulini-Ncube never recovered from an extreme diabetic condition he
suffered while in custody. The case is supposed to be heard in court on 11
November, 2002, and to arrest him before the trial date, when he out on bail on
the pretext that he is to be arraigned before a Judge the following Monday is
simply legal harassment. The trial is currently taking place in the High
Court.
Nyathi, Paul
Themba
MDC’s
Secretary for Information and Publicity and Member of Parliament for Gwanda
North, Nyathi was in August 2002 summoned by the police to give a warned and
cautioned statement for allegedly calling for a violent overthrow of Mugabe at
an MDC rally in Gwanda.
Coltart, David
MDC’s Secretary for Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South. Arrested on 4/10/00 after his house was searched, accused of hiding broadcasting material. His 3 bodyguards were arrested on 8/09/01. Another bodyguard arrested on 11/09/01. In November 2001, Coltart’s plane was forced to land after taking off from Charles Prince Airport, and he was detained for about one and a half hours.
Police
called at his house on 16/02/02 and accused him of having fired a pistol at Zanu
PF youth. Appeared in court on 18/02/02 and charged with firing a short in
public. Remanded on bail to 22/06/02
Biti, Tendai
MDC’s
Secretary for Economic Affairs and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Biti was
arrested on 8 February 2003 together with 11 other MDC supporters on their way
back from Mabvuku where he and Madzore were supposed to address an MDC rally,
which had been stopped by police. Spent
two nights in police cells, and discharged without charge on 10 February
2003.
Stevenson, Trudy
MDC’s
Secretary for Research and policy and Member of Parliament for Harare North,
Stevenson was arrested in Harare on 10 February 2003. At the time of compiling
this report, the reasons for her arrest had not yet been established.
Trudy Stevenson was
among the 59 women
arrested on 14 February
2003 at the United Nations Offices in Nkwame Nkrumah Avenue in Harare where they
had gone to present a letter encouraging love and peace to UN Secretary General,
Kofi Anan. The women were detained for two hours at the Harare Central Police
Station before being released without
charges.
Gasela, Renson
Gasela,
Member of Parliament for Gweru Rural, Shadow Minister of Agriculture and
Secretary for Midlands South Province, is jointly facing treason charges with
President Tsvangirai and the Party Secretary General, Welshman Ncube for
allegedly hiring Ari-Ben Menashe to assassinate Mugabe. He is currently on trial
on this charge.
Mashakada, Tapiwa
Member of
Parliament for Hatfield and Shadow Minister of Finance. Arrested after he was
found with a gun belonging to security guards guarding his house, who had left
the weapon at the premises. He had intended to inform the police about the
fire-arm. Cleared by the courts. However, his licenced personal fire-arm was
confiscated by the police for no reason in September
2001.
Picked up
from his home by the police on the night of 1 September 2002 in connection with
the bombing of the VOP offices in Harare. Police claim they received an
anonymous letter linking Mashakada to the bombing of the radio station offices.
He was detained in police cells for two nights, but was discharged before plea
for lack of evidence.
Mudzuri, Ellias
Executive
Mayor of Harare who was elected on an MDC ticket. He, together with his deputy,
several officials of the City of Harare and some residents, was arrested while
addressing residents on the problems facing the City of Harare in Mabvuku on 11
January 2003. He was released without charged for lack of
evidence.
Pauline Mupariwa
Shadow
Minister and Secretary for Labour, Mupariwa was picked at her Marimba Park home
and arrested on 20 January 2003 on allegations that she was involved in the
plans for an NCA organized mass stay away. She was detained at the Harare
Central Police Station and released without charges on 22 January
2003.
Sikhala, Job
MDC’s
Member of Parliament for St. Mary’s. Has been arrested on 6 occasions on
allegations of causing violence. On 14 September 2001, Sikhala was arrested for
allegedly making abusive phone calls to Jonathan Moyo, the Junior Minister of
Information in Mugabe’s cabinet. He was charged for contravening a section of
the Posts and Telecommunications Act, but has since been tried and acquitted.
Sikhala
was arrested again on 9 November 2002 on allegations of fraud as he was said to
have abused the parliamentary vehicle scheme to buy a vehicle for a third party.
He was cleared by the courts of law when the matter went on
trial.
Sikhala
was arrested again on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having been involved in
the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to that of wanting
to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in
custody, and a medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on
bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.
Bhebhe, Abedinicho
Member of Parliament for Nkayi. Arrested in October 2001 on allegations of causing despondency and alarm at a rally in Bulawayo. He will appear in court on 3/06/02.
Bhebhe was
detained for 7 days on 6/02/02 after he was assaulted by members of the army and
Zanu PF supporters, and has been remanded out of custody on $1000 bail to
6/05/02.
Bhebhe was
arrested again on putting up posters which read “Hoot, Enough is Enough” in
Bulawayo on 3 January 2003. He was charged under the Public Order and Security
Act (POSA), detained until his appearance in court on 6 January, where the
charges were dropped as he the court found that he had not committed a
crime.
Khupe, Thokozani
Member of
Parliament for Makokoba in Bulawayo. Arrested and appeared in court in October
2001 on allegations that she had caused alarm and despondency at an MDC rally in
Bulawayo.
Arrested
again together with 7 other MDC activists for participating in the Day of the
Africa Child on 25 May 2002 at Stanley Square Stadium in Bulawayo and charged
under POSA.
Musekiwa, Tafadzwa
Member of
the MDC National Executive and Member of Parliament for Zengeza. He was
acquitted in case in which he is alleged to have made abusive phone calls to
Jonathan Moyo.
Musekiwa
was arrested on another trumped up charge of abusing the parliamentary vehicle
scheme, but was cleared by the courts.
Chaibva, Gabriel
MDC’s Shadow
Minister of Local Government and Member of Parliament for Sunningdale, Chaibva
was arrested on 8 February, 2003 in Hwange with four other MDC officials while
attending a seminar organized for MDC councilors. Released without charge the
same day.
Mzila-Ndlovu, Moses
Member of Parliament for Bulilimamangwe North. Arrested in April 2001 for allegedly defaming President Mugabe. Detained over night in Gwanda after being picked up from home by heavily armed men led by Boysen Mathema. Remanded six times, but name suddenly struck off the remand list.
Arrested again in October 2001 by 12 armed men led by Sibanda, initially on murder charges, later altered to kidnapping. Held in several police camps for 4 days – tortured, harassed and threatened while detained - and appeared in court on the 5th day. Defamation charge was revived to strengthen the kidnapping case.
Eveline
Masaiti
Member
of Parliament for Mutasa and MDC’s Shadow Minister of Gender, Youth, and
Culture, Masaiti was among the
59 women arrested on
14 February 2003 at the United Nations Offices in Nkwame Nkrumah Avenue in
Harare where they had gone to present a letter encouraging love and peace to UN
Secretary General, Kofi Anan. The women were detained for two hours at the
Harare Central Police Station before being released without
charges.
Makone, Ian
A senior
MDC official who was part of the MDC team to the aborted MDC-Zanu PF talks,
Makone was arrested in Hwange with four other MDC officials while attending a
seminar organized for MDC councilors on 8 February 2003. Released without charge
the same day.
Munyanyi,
Tichaona
Member of
Parliament for Mbare East, and the MDC’s organising secretary for Harare
Province. Arrested soon after the June 2000 parliamentary elections, being
falsely accused of having beaten up a Zanu PF supporter. Detained for 4 days,
but released without being charged for lake of
evidence.
Arrested
on 30 September 2002 for alleged involvement in the murder of Zanu PF activist,
Ali Khan Mangengwa, who was shot dead by unknown persons in Mbare.
Madzore, Paul
Member of
Parliament for Glen View, Madzore was arrested in January 2002 for allegedly
transporting from Mbare MDC youths who are alleged to have beaten up Zanu PF
.
Madzore
was arrested again on 12 January 2003 and beaten by drunken special
constabularies. He was tortured while in police holding cells., but later
released without being charged.
Arrested
again on 8 February 2003 together with 11 other MDC supporters on their way back
from Mabvuku where he and Biti were supposed to address an MDC rally, which had
been stopped by police. Spent two nights
in police cells, and discharged without charge on 10 February
2003.
Sansole, Jelous
Member of
Parliament for Hwange West. Arrested on 6/02/02 after reporting the attack on
his property to police. 15 other people, including the MP’s relatives, arrested
in connection with the attack, and MP paid bail totaling $35 000.00. MP is
currently out on bail
Member of Parliament for Hwange East. Arrested in October 2001 for allegedly causing violence, but charge was later dropped.
Arrested
again on 6/02/02 in Nkayi together with hon. Bhebhe. Is out on bail, and will
appear in court on 3/06/02.
Tumbare-Mutasa, Bennie
Member of Parliament for Seke. Arrested after the Charakupa Business Centre attack when he was forced to produce a gun to disperse Zanu PF youth who had surrounded him, but was cleared by the courts.
Arrested
again after another incident at New Gada in Ruwa, where he was forced by the
situation to produce a gun to scare off . Cleared by the
court.
Bennett, Roy
Arrested
on 29 September 2002 after he was seen taking pictures of the scene at Nemaramba
School Polling Station, where people were being told to queue in a queue for
people who could not cast their vote on their own and needed assistance. The
people assisted to vote would be given maize after having been assisted to vote.
Bennett was charged with taking pictures illegally during the council elections
and accused for practicing “journalism” without
accreditation.
Sekai
Makwavarara
Deputy Mayor of Harare, and councilor for a ward in
Mabvuku, Makwavarara, was arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias
Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in
Mabvuku.
Marima, Edmore
MDC
Provincial chairman for Masvingo Province. Arrested on suspicion of involvement
in the murder of Zanu PF activist, Gibson Masarira in Zaka during the run-up to
the March 2002 presidential elections. Is out of custody on Z$10 000.00 bail.
Arrested on 19 August 2002 for allegedly breaching his bail conditions after his
car was seen outside Mapari resort area without police permission. His bail
conditions are that he should not move outside the resort area without police
permission. Interestingly it was only his car which is also driven by other
people, which police claim to have seen in Chipinge, and not
himself.
Musundire, Alexio
MDC
Chairman for Chitungwiza Province. Arrested on 2 September 2002 for allegedly
bombing Voice of the People radio station offices. Released the following day
without being charged.
Chamisa, Nelson
Charged
with treason on 14 August 2002 for allegedly trying to subvert a constitutional
government using unlawful means. Chamisa is said to have told an indoor meeting
at Mbare West MP, Dunmore Makuwaza’s house that people should be ready for mass
action on 14 August 2002. Chamisa is the MDC ‘s National Youth Chairman. He is
being charged under section 5 (2) (a) of the Public Order and Security Act. The
police at Harare Central Police Station record a warned and cautioned statement
before they release him, without indicating when Chamisa will appear in court in
connection with the case.
Chamisa
has another case pending in the courts, in which he is being accused of inciting
public violence during the run-up to the presidential election. He was initially
charged with breaching the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act, which has since been
abolished and replaced by POSA
Biggie Chigonero
Mashonaland Central Provincial Vice-Chairman, Chigonero was arrested on 6
February 2003 in Mvurwi and taken to Bindura police station on trumped up
charges of mobilizing youths to disrupt cricket matches. He was also said to
have offered to transport the youths to Harare in his mini-bus, which, however,
he sold last year.
Chigonero
appeared before Bindura magistrates’ court on 8 February 2003 and was denied
bail.
Chishaka, Christine
An MDC
official in Manicaland. Arrested on 12 May 2002 for allegedly organizing an
illegal rally. Released two days later without being
charged.
Kidd, Michael Shane
MDC candidate for Charter Estate seat in Chimanimani in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.
Masama, Edson
Arrested
on 22 July 2002 from his Chitungwiza home for alleged involvement in the
petrol-bombing of Vengai Mukurunge’s house in Buhera on 12 July. Initially taken
to St. Mary’s Police Station, but transferred to Murambinda Police Station after
two day. He is severely tortured, but later released without being charged.
Laban, Graham
Councilor
for Avondale, Harare, was manhandled by eight policemen outside Town House,
handcuffed and to a ramp at the main gate for about ten minutes before he was
taken to Harare Central Police Station when police dispersed residents who had
come to meeting called by the Mayor of Harare on 29 January 2003.
Mukwasi, Edson
The late
MDC Youth Provincial chairman Harare Province, Mukwsi and 11 other MDC activists
were abducted by CIO operatives and police and dumped in Gonarezhou National
Park after their release from police custody after they had been arrested for
allegedly murdering Bernard Gara, a Zanu PF activist in January 2001. They were
severely tortured during their detention. They were initially granted but later
set free after it was proved they were not involved in the
murder.
On 30 November 2002, Mukwasi and other MDC activists
were arrested at a cricket match in Harare for distributing literature with
evidence of Zanu PF brutality. They were severely tortured and leased without
being charged. Mukwasi became ill after the
November 2001 torture, and passed away on 3 February
2003.
Makoni, Zacharia
Aspiring MDC candidate for Ward 30 Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.
Carter, Buster
MDC candidate for Chipinge North’s Ward 10 in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.
Manyerenyere, Paradzai
Aspiring MDC candidate for Masimbe Ward in Chipinge South in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.
Marillier, Edward Gerald
Candidate
in the 2002 local government election in Manicaland. Arrested on allegations of
involvement in the burning of 3 government tractors at a government complex in
Chipinge. Bieng charged with malicious injury to
property.
Mozandakaya, Julius
Headman in
Chibuwe and MDC candidate for Mutovoti area in the 2002 local government
elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly
burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged
with malicious injury to property.
Mtetwa, Mathias
MDC
aspiring candidate for Ward 16 Chipinge South. He was arrested during the first
week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the
government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to
property.
Muchauraya, Pishayi
Provincial
Information and Publicity officer for Manicaland, arrested on 16 May, 2002 for
questioning the conduct of a police officer after an MDC truck ferrying people
to a rally at Chibuwe Stadium in Chipinge
South.
Spooner,
Simon
Coltart’s
campaign manager, Spooner was arrested and held for 5 weeks for alleged
involvement in the murder of Cain Nkala. The charges were later
dropped.
Tsvangirayi, Fanuel
MDC
chairman for Ward 38 of Kuwadzana, Harare. He was abducted by Zanu PF youths on
20 January 2003 and taken into their base at Kuwadzana 5 shopping center, from
where he was transferred to Goromonzi police station where he was severely
tortured. He was forced to drink urine during his ordeal with the police. He was
released without being charged on 27 January 2003.
Masunda, Resias
Armed
police, and other persons in civilian clothes broke into his Kuwadzana house at
about mid-night on 24 January 2003 and took him to Goromonzi Police Station were
he was severely tortured. He was asked to reveal MDC’s campaign strategy for the
Kuwadzana by-election while being tortured. On 26 January 12003, he was
blindfolded transferred to a place which he could recognize as he was
blindfolded and released without being charged on 27 January 2003. Before they
left Masunda’s home, police severely assaulted Masunda’s wife, Rebecca
Nengomasha, and threatened to come back and pick him so that she could reveal
the place where her husband’s gun was hidden. The policemen dropped a bullet in
the house, which was discovered the following
morning.
Mugwazi, Brighton
Aspiring candidate for Chibuwe ward in the 2002 local government elections. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge
Mutseyami, Prosper
The MDC
Provincial vice-chair for Manicaland, and aspiring candidate for ward 31
Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for
allegedly burning government tractors in Chipinge. Released on Z$20 000 bail,
but re-arrested on the same charges on 12 August 2002 despite that he was on
bail and was due to appear in court on the same case on 19 August 2002.
Aspiring MDC candidate for ward Ward 11 Chipinge North. He was arrested during the first week of August 2002 for allegedly burning government tractors kept at the government complex in Chipinge. Charged with malicious injury to property.
Simango, Dennis
MDC
candidate for Ward 32 in Chipinge North in the 2002 local government elections.
Arrested during the first week of August for allegedly burning government
tractors at the Chipinge government complex.
Magwaza, Menson
Arrested
together with Roy Bennett on 29 September 2002 after he was seen taking pictures
of the scene at Nemaramba School Polling Station, where people were being told
to queue in a queue for people who could not cast their vote on their own and
needed assistance. The people assisted to vote would be given maize after having
been assisted to vote. Bennett was charged with taking pictures illegally during
the council elections and accused for practicing “journalism” without
accreditation.
Spicer, Thomas Tawanda
MDC youth
deputy organising secretary for Harare Province. Arrested on several occasions
for alleged violence. Arrested again on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking
the police from searching a person suspected to have been in possession of an
unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku
on 21 September, 2002. He, together with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he
was arrested, are tortured and forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they
refuse.
Ndira, Cosmos
Arrested
on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person
suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting
public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together
with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and
forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they
refuse.
Ndira, Barnabas
Arrested
on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person
suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting
public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together
with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and
forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they
refuse.
Mulauzi, Tendai
Arrested
on 26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person
suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting
public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together
with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and
forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they
refuse.
Ticharwa Reuben
Arrest on
26 September 2002 for allegedly blocking the police from searching a person
suspected to have been in possession of an unlicenced fire arm, and for inciting
public violence at a beer hall in Mabvuku on 21 September, 2002. He, together
with 4 other MDC youth activists with who he was arrested, are tortured and
forced to chant Zanu PF slogans, but they
refuse.
Kuzivakwashe Muchairi
Arrested on 29 January 2002 and released on 1
January 2003 for allegedly possessing firearms. Brutally assaulted and tortured while in police cells at Bindura Police
Station.
Falls
Nhari
Councillor
for Harare on an MDC ticket, Nhari was arrested together with the Mayor,
Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting in
Mabvuku.
Madharani, Derek
Armed police
broke into Madharani’s house at about 12.00 midnight on 21 January 2003 and
started assaulting him, asking him to give them the names of the people who
petrol- bombed the Zanu PF torture base at Kuwadzana 5 Shopping Centre. When he
professed ignorance, they blindfolded him and took him to Goromonzi Police
Station, where he was severely tortured and sustained a crack on his ear-drum.
While being tortured, he was asked to reveal the MDC’s campaign strategy for the
Kuwadzana bye-election. He was released without being charged on 24 January 2003
and was treated at the Avenues Clinic, who referred to an ear specialist for
further treatment. Madharani is the MDC Organising Secretary for Kuwadzana
District.
Alfred M. Nyahunzvi
Aspiring
candidate for Highfield, Nyahunzvi was arrested at Machipisa Police Station
after reporting that he and six other MDC activists had been attacked by Zanu PF
thugs on 30 January 2003. His car was damaged in the attack. Released without
being charged.
B. Maimba
Councillor
for Harare on an MDC ticket, Maimba was
arrested together with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003
while at a meeting in Mabvuku.
Oscar
Pemhiwa
Councillor for a ward in Mabvuku on an MDC
ticket, Pemhiwa was arrested together
with the Mayor, Engineer Ellias Mudzuri, on 11 January 2003 while at a meeting
in Mabvuku.
T.
Magaya
Magaya
was arrested together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January 2003 on
allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which
were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He was
severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a
medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured. He is out on
bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the courts.
B. Shumba
A Human
rights lawyer, Shumba was arrested
together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January 2003 on allegations of having
been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus, charges which were later altered to
that of wanting to topple the government. He was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a medical
report carried on him has since confirmed
that he was indeed tortured. He is out on bail for this charge. The
charges were later thrown out by the courts.
C.
Matema
An MDC
activist, Matema was arrested together with Job Sikhala and others on 13 January
2003 on allegations of having been involved in the burning of a Zupco bus,
charges which were later altered to that of wanting to topple the government. He
was severely tortured by the police while in custody, and a
medical report carried on him has since confirmed that he was indeed tortured.
He is out on bail for this charge. The charges were later thrown out by the
courts.
F. Murambatsvina
MDC
activist, Murambatsvina was briefly arrested together with a colleague after
bringing food for other MDC activists who were being held in police cells at the
Harare Central Police Station on 17 January 2003. Brutally assaulted and tortured during the brief detention before being
released.
M. Marasha
MDC
activist, Marasha was briefly arrested together with a colleague after bringing
food for other MDC activists who were being held in police cells at the Harare
Central Police Station on 17 January 2003. Brutally assaulted and tortured during the brief detention before being
released.
Jane
Chifamba
Provincial Chair for
Mashonaland East Women's Assembly; was picked up from her home on the night of
19 January 2003. She was held at Marondera Police Station for two days and
released without being charged.
Sam
Kamudarira
The Provincial Youth
Chair, and No charges have been leveled against the seven, who are still being
held at Marondera Police Stations' Criminal Investigations Department.
Leon
Sunday
A member of the
province's executive committee, Sunday
was picked up from her
home on the night of 19 January 2003. She was held at Marondera Police Station
for two days and released without being charged.
J. Mapfumo
MDC activist
in Kuwadzana, Harare, Mapfumo was abducted on 22 January 2003 by Zanu PF thugs,
who severely assaulted him before handing him over to police, who also
tortured him, before releasing him without being
charged.
T. Machekahanzu
Arrested on
13 January 2003 for allegedly participating in an illegal demonstration. He was
assaulted and tortured while detained at Marimba Police Station
and was released without being charged.
Andy Flower, one of the best batsmen in the world, is preparing to leave the game in sad circumstances, writes Alex Brown, in Johannesburg.
Andy Flower's retirement from international cricket will coincide with Zimbabwe's exit from the World Cup. But an important task remains. Flower, who dared to challenge a tyrannical president, hopes his teammates can lift the spirits of their impoverished countrymen during the super six phase of this tournament.
While describing Zimbabwe's super six qualification as "hollow", given the four competition points earned from England's forfeit, Flower said his team was in a unique position to provide hope to a nation gripped by economic and social despair.
"We're well placed to do something special," Flower said. "We've felt for a couple of years now that the way we perform does have an effect on the nation. We have games against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Kenya, and there's a good chance we could cause an upset or two.
"It does feel a little hollow the way we got here, but we know there are bigger factors. The very fact we've made it this far hopefully will lift the spirits of the people of our nation. I didn't expect to make it this far. It's been a pleasant surprise."
Flower confirmed that after he retires from international cricket he would
sign contracts with Essex and, hopefully, South Australia over the next few
seasons.
At 34, the former Zimbabwean captain has many regrets in standing down from world cricket; not that he was afforded much of a choice.
Flower, who with teammate Henry Olonga, wore a black armband in protest against President Robert Mugabe's oppressive regime, has been under enormous pressure from the Zimbabwean government and cricket union since his side's cup opener against Namibia last month.
Asked whether he had been threatened by Zimbabwean government operatives - notorious for violently silencing voices of opposition - Flower declined to comment. He did, however, anticipate problems re-entering Zimbabwe in years to come.
"I don't think there will be many problems getting back in this time from South Africa - there's a lot of media around, and I'm grateful for that," he said. "I still feel fit enough to play international cricket, and there are a lot of things I had still hoped to achieve.
"A lot of people have said they'd like me to keep playing for Zimbabwe. But you have to stick by the decisions and the sacrifices you make, and I made this decision for me and my family. Zimbabwe will be home, but I'm not sure whether I'll be able to spend a lot of time here.
"I only decided in the last couple of months that I would retire. It's hard to say whether I would have kept playing [if not for the political climate in Zimbabwe]. This situation still exists and it's all I've known for the past few years."
While Flower continues to plunder opposition bowling attacks, Olonga has been less fortunate.
The 26-year-old paceman has been omitted from every World Cup match since wearing a black armband during the clash with Namibia.
"He wants to continue playing in Zimbabwe," Flower said. "I can't really talk about his situation, but he hasn't said anything about wanting to play overseas as far as I know."
To qualify for the World Cup semi-finals, Zimbabwe must defeat each nation they face in the super six - New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Kenya. That, Flower concedes, could prove difficult for a nation with about 300 registered senior cricketers.
But the very fact the Geoff Marsh-coached side has qualified for the super six, while teams such as South Africa, the West Indies, England and Pakistan have faltered, proves that upsets are possible.
And Flower is banking on a few surprises as his international career enters its final act.
"We know that everyone at home will be keeping a close eye on how we go," he said. "We're aware of the role we have in representing our country.
"Certainly, I have a few regrets about how [his international career] is finishing. But there is also a great possibility to end this with a few big performances."
Chilanga Exports Cement to Zimbabwe
The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
March 6, 2003
Posted
to the web March 6, 2003
Business Reporter
CHILANGA Cement PLC has started exporting cement to Zimbabwe following the economic crisis that country is going through.
Financial controller George Varghese said yesterday that the export exercise commenced last week and many orders and enquiries had been received from the Zimbabwean community who had expressed interest in conducting business with Chilanga.
Mr Varghese said by yesterday the company had exported 300 tonnes while the tonnage for this month was expected to increase to 2000.
"We have been able to break into the Zimbabwean market because of the economic instability coupled with the high inflation rate and cement shortage, but we are also consolidating our position in other markets such as Malawi and Burundi," he said.
He was grateful to the Government for the role it played in boosting the sales by effecting a ban on imported cement from Zimbabwe which had triggered an increase in the output of the commodity.
"Last year we reached a maximum of 364,000 tonnes of clinker and 342,000 tonnes of cement as compared to 2001 when we sold only 287,000 tonnes and 309,000 respectively. This was at a time when the ban had not yet been effected and we had to compete on the market with the Zimbabwean product," Mr Varghese said.
The new owners of the company, La Farge injected K7.8 billion for the rehabilitation of the plant and one of the kilns that had been shut down due to low market demand for the cement will be opened next week.
The re-opening of line two kiln was expected to boost the sales by over 300,000 tonnes which would cater for the new market.
And Mr Varghese said the delayed privatisation of Maamba Collieries was affecting the company as the mine did not have the capacity to meet the demand and this had led Chilanga to start importing coal from Wankie mine in Zimbabwe.
Harare |
06 March 2003 09:21 |
Paul Themba Nyathi
The MDC
(Movement for Democratic Change) deplored in strongest terms the arrest on 2
March of 26 MDC supporters on their way to a rally in Hatcliffe. The MDC also
protested the arrest on the same day of over 70 MDC supporters after a
successful rally in Mufakose, which was followed by the arrest of more than 10
suspected MDC supporters who were taken from their homes in Mufakose in the
early morning of 3 March.
Twenty-six MDC activists, among them 3 women, who were
travelling on Sunday 2 March to an MDC rally in Hatcliffe constituency in Harare
were stopped and forced-marched into State House yard where they were severely
assaulted by members of President Mugabe's security. Their crime: putting on MDC
regalia while driving past state house. The soldiers used logs, booted feet, the
butts of their guns and other instruments during the 4 hour detention at Station
House.
The
victims were then taken to Harare Central Police Station where they were
initially put in the holding cells and accused of addressing a rally at State
House. They were released after each being forced to pay an "admission of guilt"
fine of Zim$5,000. Five of the activists who received serious injuries have
since been taken to hospital. One of the victims, Henry Chimbiri, can be reached
on his mobile number 023 256 650.
The
arrests are further evidence that the Mugabe regime does not tolerate political
pluralism in the country, and is willing to continually suppress opposing views,
contrary to the efforts by the regime to hoodwink the international community
into believing that the country is returning to law and order.
The only
crime committed by the 26 MDC supporters who were detained and assaulted in
State House premises was that they were putting on MDC T-shirts. The world
should note that it has become a crime to put on MDC regalia in Zimbabwe despite
Mugabe's efforts to make the world believe that Zimbabwe is a democratic state.
It is the right of every Zimbabwean to pass through Borrowdale Road within the
stipulated hours, and the MDC supporters travelled within the stipulated time.
The
arrests in Mufakose are really unwarranted. This was a rally which had been
cleared by the police, who were present when the member of the Central
Intelligence Organisation was disarmed by the youth. Why a police officer in
civilian attire got to the rally and pretended to be part of the rally in the
first place is puzzling. For the police to come back after the rally to round up
innocent MDC supporters, detain and assault them is really uncalled for. More
disturbing is the fact that police carried out door-to-door visits, assaulting
innocent civilians for a crimes of which they no nothing.
The
continued assault of suspects by the police, whether innocent or otherwise,
violates provisions of the constitution of Zimbabwe. Section 15 paragraph 1 of
our constitution clearly states that: "No person shall be subjected to torture
or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other such treatment"
Even if
we forget about our constitution, still Universal Declaration of Human Rights to
which Zimbabwe is a signatory also states, under Article 5 that: "No one shall
be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment"
We
reiterate our position that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has become a willing
tool in Zanu PF's effort to suppress basic human rights in Zimbabwe.
Paul
Themba Nyathi is the MDC 's Secretary for Information and Publicity. To obtain
further information on the situation in Zimbabwe contact the MDC Contact
Michael Darby
for further information.
Harare: Zimbabwe
BrookesNews.Com
Thursday 6 March 2003