Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga

Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga is the member of parliament for Goromonzi West constituency. During the run up to the presidential run off elections in June 2008 MP Nyamupinga moved around the Domboshava and Chinhamhora communal areas campaigning for the Zanu PF presidential candidate.  She was always accompanied by a troop of Zanu PF militia and suspected CIO agents. This team was always seen driving in two Mitsubishi trucks, followed by Nyamupinga’s car, a Mazda 626 cream in color. This group hunted and terrorized MDC supporters in the Goromonzi West constituency. The names of the people listed below fell victim to the atrocities of the Nyamupinga militia.

May 29, 2008

Ben Mbidzo, an MDC activists in the Goromonzi West Constituency, was abducted from his home on 29 May 2008 by the group of Zanu PF militia led by Beatrice Nyamupinga. They heavily assaulted him first, destroyed his homestead, took away his household property and subjected his wife and children to another thorough beating that lasted for hours. They then took Ben away to their Base at Chogugudza  Primary School for another round of torture and beatings. He was released after the 27June elections.

June 11, 2008

Ishumael  Chitunhu, who owned a small retail shop at Chinhamhora Growth Point, was abducted in the evening of 11 June 20089 from his shop. The people who attacked him were all members of the Zanu PF campaign team. These militia were led by Tendayi Maruta and was using a car provided by Beatrice Nyamupinga the MP. Ishumael was severely assaulted at his shop before being taken to Chogugudza Primary School base; he was tortured and transferred to another base in Bindura (Mashonaland Central). He managed to escape from the Bindura base and fled to Mozambique where he sought refuge until October 2008.

June 17, 2008

Violet Mubauka was attacked at her home on 17 June 2008 by a gang of Zanu PF Militia sent by Beatrice Nyamupingu. They accused her of supporting the MDC, they assaulted her on the buttocks and she sustained severe injuries. She was warned not to seek any medical help for they would kill her for doing so.

June 19, 2008

Beatrice Nyamupinga and her convoy of three vehicles went to Pote Primary School in her constituency. The youths in her group were led by Peter Maruta who looked for and apprehended Tito Munyanyi. They assaulted him in the presence of the MP and she never stopped them from carrying out this barbaric act. They even went on to take him in their vehicles and deposited him at their base at Chogugudza Primary School. Tito was tortured at the base and was later instructed to go and collect his MDC regalia and bring it to the base, Tito grabbed this chance and fled to Harare.

June 28, 2008

A group of Zanu PF youths using a party vehicle that had been availed to them by Beatrice Nyamupingu descended on the home of Peter Chamhumha in the Domboshava area looking for him. Fortunately Peter had got wind that the militia was looking for him and had managed to leave before their arrival. This incensed the Zanu PF gang that they destroyed his entire homestead to the ground.

28 June 2008

Elias Chiringa, the headman of Chiringa village, was attending a meeting addressed by the MP when Reuben Zulu pointed  him out that he was an MDC activist . Zanu PF youths who were accompanying the MP manhandled him and assaulted before all the people gathered at the meeting. He pleaded with the MP to stop them but she said it was his fault and that he should go through the cleansing process.

November 2008

Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga was reported to have a left a workshop fuming with anger that Jestinah Mukoko,  the director of ZPP, had given a presentation which cited that Goromonzi West constituency had gone through a wave of severe political violence in the period preceding the June 27, 2008 elections. She warned Jestinah that she would pay for it and surprisingly enough Jestinah was abducted from her a few days later.  She was only produced by the state a few days before Christmas. Unconfirmed reports say a car similar to her mazda 626 was seen at the scene of Jestinah’s abduction. Many victims have reported being assaulted by the army based at Domboshava barracks in her constituency, reportedly at the instigation of MP Beatrice Nyamupinga.

Chief Changara Kasekete is a paramount traditional leader in the Dande communal areas of the Muzarabani District. As a traditional leader Kasekete is the custodian of traditional customs and culture, his subjects look up to him for guidance in conflict resolution. His manner is in sharp contrast to these popular expectations. Chief Changara Kasekete’s weird character has puzzled the communities in Muzarabani district.

On assumption of his chieftainship, Kasekete was a very popular and promising leader instrumental in attracting developmental projects into the semi arid region. Little did the people know that they were celebrating the installation of a monster that was to devour them and their children. Whenever there is a gathering in his area Changara Kasekete declares undying loyalty to President Robert Mugabe and the Zanu PF party. He promised that MDC was never going to be allowed in Muzarabani and over the years Kasekete has proved to be a man of his word, many MDC supporters have been butchered, maimed, tortured and displaced in Muzarabani. Though Kasekete has gained notoriety, due to his determination to ban the MDC from Muzarabani through political violence, the intensity of his fierce concentration and commitment to the perpetration of political violence in 2008 was overwhelming.

Kasekete teamed up with a high profile Zanu PF terror squad that included  Edward Raradza (MP), Luke  Mushore(MP), Jenia Manyeruke( Senator), Kamusengezi  (ZNA), Yahwe (CIO), Chief Chiweshe, Proud Pfotso, Godfrey  Katsiru, Chibau (Zanu PF district chairman) and Avozhi Chibedebede. This team was in command of a group of over 400 Zanu PF militia and armed soldiers. Chief Changara Kasekete and his accomplices were responsible for the abductions and murder of MDC ward officials namely the late; Tennyson Manyimo, Titus Goho, Canaan Dzamwarira, Clemence Chirozva, Learnmore Chingani, Muzumbe, Taurai Chamboko, Ratidzayi Dzenga , Freddy Macheka and Biggie Zhuwawo.

On 3 June 2008 Chief Kasekete addressed a rally at Hoya Primary School and ordered all Zanu Pf supporters and militia to burn all MDC supporters’ homes that Saturday night. That instruction spelt disaster for MDC supporters in Muzarabani. Zanu PF went on the rampage, homes went up in flames, men women and children were ruthlessly assaulted and tortured, broken bones and lacerated wounds were the order of the day. Roads were blocked and victims were not allowed to seek medical help. Many suffered in silence and only managed to access help several weeks later, some with their conditions having developed complications due to the delays, others have consequently suffered permanent disabilities.

In May 2010 two MDC supporters who were victims of 2008 violence reported that they were dragged before Chief Kasekete’s court. Their crime was that they had approached one of the perpetrators who took away their cattle in 2008 to return them. Chief Kasekete accused them of talking about political issues and insulting the complainant who is a Zanu PF official. They were initially fined US$30 each and were handed over to the police where they were charged with public nuisance and paid an admission of guilty fine of US$5 each. The perpetrator, now the complainant, armed with copies of the receipts from the police, instituted a civil suit against the two victims. The case was presided over by Chief Kasekete himself. He awarded the Zanu PF perpetrator damages of three cows and two goats. The cattle and goats were forcibly taken away from the victims’ homes by Kasekete and handed over to the perpetrator as compensation for the pain caused by the accusation and insults.

During the campaign period towards the presidential run off elections in June 2008 chief Kasekete was personally involved in numerous incidents of political violence some of which are outlined below;

April 1, 2008

On 1 April 2008 a group of Zanu PF militia led by Chief Kasekete abducted  Biggie Zhuwawo from his home. Biggie was subjected to a heavy and brutal assault such that he passed out and died on the spot.

April 16, 2008

Chief Kasekete and his gang of Zanu PF militia abducted Liven Mapfumo who operated a small general dealers shop in the area. They assaulted him all over the body and destroyed his entire home. Chief Kasekete then ordered Mapfumo to supply groceries for the Independence celebrations.

April 26, 2008

Eric Chinzima reported that a large group of Zanu PF militia led by Chief Kasekete got to his home during the day. They accused him of supporting the MDC and viciously assaulted him. He lost his upper teeth after being kicked in the mouth with a booted foot.

May 1, 2008

Zanu PF militia apprehended Simbarashe Manzizi on his way home. They accused him of voting for the MDC in March and started beating him up there and then as punishment for his support of MDC. They then took him to his home where they destroyed all the huts there and left him in the open. He noted that among the group was Chief Kasekete who was giving the orders.

May 2, 2008

The local Zanu PF youths around Hoya school accused Freddie Matonhodze of campaigning for Tsvangirai in the area. On 2 May 2008 Chief Kasekete and his band of thugs destroyed Matonhodze’s entire homestead. His family fled and sought refuge with relatives away from the area. Their clothes, property and utensils were all burnt.

May 1, 2008

On 1 May 2008 Chief Kasekete ordered Lucky Mutengwa to be brought before him. Lucky was accused of supporting the MDC. They harassed and tormented him and kasekete threatened him with death if he continued living in Muzarabani. Mutengwa deserted his family and property and lived in another district until after the June elections.

May 1, 2008

Chief Kasekete, in the command of more that 50 Zanu PF youths and war veterans, attacked Christopher Mondera at his home. They heavily assaulted him, looted and destroyed his home.

May 1, 2008

The Zanu PF supporters in their orgy of violence on 1 May 2008, caught Wanzirai Magodo at his home. They heavily assaulted him with a variety of weapons and he sustained serious injuries all over the body. Having worked him over to their satisfaction they turned their anger on his property destroying anything in sight. All the family’s clothes were burnt. Magodo lost his only tractor that was burnt in the attack. Magodo identified amongst others, Chief Kasekete, Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore and Avhozhi Chibedebede .

May 2, 2008

Saymore Gweru was abducted and interrogated by Chief Kasekete. He was accused of refusing to divulge information on where his brother was hiding. He was assaulted and tortured for a long time before he was released . His abductors confiscated 2 goats from his home for food at their base.

May 2, 2008

A large group of Zanu PF supporters attacked Dzikamayi D Gono at his home during the night. Some of the assailants were in military uniform, they destroyed the whole homestead. Gono identified some of the perpetrators as E. Raradza, P Pfotso,T Diamond, O Sosono, C Chiringa, CP Mutonga Njiva, B Mazhuwana, P Chashaya and Chief Kasekete,

May 2, 2008

Zanu PF youths in the company of senior party officials surrounded  Clemence Chirozva’s homestead near Chaminda Primary school. They ordered him out of his house and started assaulting him with a variety of weapons. Clemence sustained serious injuries that never healed until he passed away in 2009. The group that killed Chirozva included MP Raradza,  MP  L Mushore, Manyeruke, Chief Kasekete, Chief Chiweshe, Pfotso, Katsiru, DCC Chibau, and Chibedebede

May 3, 2008

A group of Zanu PF stormed Siiraishe Charunda’s homestead they interrogated and assaulted him. The gang destroyed his house and property the property destroyed includes bed, radio, food, clothes. The people were Raradza, Luke Mushore, J Manyeruke, Chief Kasekete, Chief Chiweshe, Pfotso, Katsiru, DCC Chibau and  Chibedebe

May 6, 2008

Chief Kasekete leading his gang of Zanu PF militia wielding axes, iron bars and guns, surrounded Angelina Ngorima’s homestead during the night. They ordered her out of the hut she was sleeping in and set it on fire. All the structures were demolished. She lost everything she had.

May 7, 2008

Lucky Mutemaunga got wind that ZNA officers were looking for him and that he had been targeted for elimination by the local Zanu PF leadership.  Lucky never wasted time and he bolted out of the area and walked on foot through out the night. He only boarded a bus the following morning to Harare where he sought refuge for the whole of 2008. The army was being assisted by Madhongi, Chief Kasekete, Norman Chizeya, Paramanzi and Kanhutu.

May 3, 2008

Luke Mushore, Edward Rraradza, Chief Kasekete and the other members of Zanu burnt the home of Sunungurai Musengeni. They beat him up to a pulp and as if that was not enough they drove away his three cows for food at the base. They burnt whatever was in sight at his homestead, and he lost everything.

May 1, 2008

Chief Kasekete, accompanied by a large group of Zanu PF youths, some of them in army fatigue, assaulted Obert Tayi at his home. They destroyed his huts and took away 9 cattle, 4 sheep and 3 goats.

May 5, 2008

Prisca Mutizwa was beaten up by local Zanu PF youth who accused her of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai. She reports that after the assault Chief Kasekete took away 2 tonnes of maize and 4 bales of cotton as punishment for her supporting the MDC.

Christopher Mutsvangwa

Christopher Mutsvangwa was the Zanu PF candidate for the Norton house of assembly seat in the March 2008 general elections. He lost to a little known MDC-T candidate and it appears Mutsvangwa was so heavily humiliated and terribly hurt that he immediately unleashed a reign of terror in the small town.

Christopher Mutsvangwa a former director of the infamous Central Intelligence Agency (CIO) and still commands respect and support from this spy agency. His links with the CIO in his campaign of violence were manifested in the fact that about 60% of political violence cases in his constituency were reportedly perpetrated by CIO agents. Mutsvangwa once served as the chief executive officer of the ZBC were he persecuted workers who failed to toe the party line thus constantly singing praises for Zanu PF and its leader Robert Mugabe.

Christopher Mutsvangwa is well known for his hate speeches towards Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the MDC, and has never failed to sing praises for Robert Mugabe and his party. He has appeared on national television an enumerable number of times as a so-called independent analyst, where he has invariably churned out horribly biased analyses. Of particular note is when in 2008 at the height of political violence he appeared on ZBC-TV vehemently denying that there was any political violence in the country, calling the MDC spokesperson a damning liar, hell bound on destroying the image of Zanu PF, and yet Mutsvangwa himself was personally involved in the hue, murder and plunder.

In August 2009 he is reported to have shot and killed Costa Matete and two other people in Highlands. The widow of one of the victims has since filed a law suit against Mutsvangwa for the cold blooded murder of her husband. She claims the murder was politically motivated, as against Mutsvangwa’s robbery allegations he is citing in his defence. Despite these serious murder charges he is facing President Mugabe has appointed him to sit on the Zimbabwe Media Commission. Some of the known and reported acts of violence directly linked to Christopher Hatikure Mutsvangwa are listed below.

1 May 2008

Gibson Nyandoro, a war veteran who fell off with his comrades after he had openly campaigned for the structures of the MDC in Norton. Reports from locals note that his activities in the MDC incensed the Zanu PF leadership in Norton and that they summoned him to appear before a kangaroo court comprised of Zanu PF party stalwarts that was chaired by Christopher Mutsvangwa as the senior member in the constituency. He was reportedly warned about his links with the MDC activities in Norton and it appears Gibson could not be deterred as he continued to pursue the new path he had chosen. Two weeks later Gibson Nyandoro was reported missing by his relatives and his body was discovered floating in a local dam a few days later.

12 June 2008

On 12 June Mutsvangwa addressed Zanu PF militia teams at the local community hall and during the evening. Following the meeting a group of youths including Oliver Tembo, Ian Kazungu, Wilson Asau and Adas Kudiwapfava, and accompanied by local CIO agents, abducted Moses Mutandwa to the hall where he was heavily assaulted with sticks under the feet and all over the body. They detained him at the hall for two days after which they were released together with other detainees, when Mutsvangwa visited the base and assigned the militia on other missions.

12 June 2008

On 12 June 2008 Oliver Tembo, one of Mutsvangwa’s campaign team members, led Zanu youths who abducted Chris Kakanga to the local Zanu offices in Katanga, where he was savagely assaulted with steel bars and logs until he sustained a fractured arm and leg. His tormenters told him that his MDC activities in Norton were nauseating their chief Christopher Mutsvangwa and had therefore send them to deal with him once and for all.

12 June 2008

Moses Mutandwa  was taken from home to a campaign meeting held at the local community hall, where he was heavily assaulted with sticks under the feet and all over the body. Witnesses note that as the prisoners were being tortured, Mutsvangwa personally delivered food supplies to be used at the base. The perpetrators were noted as Oliver Tembo, Ian Kazunga, Wilson Asau, Adas Kudiwapfava and many other unknown armed people.

13 June 2008

After the 29 March harmonized elections, Christopher Mutsvangwa was reported to have held a meeting with his campaign team at a house in Norton where they agreed to set up torture bases at some of the Zanu PF officials houses. Mutsvangwa supplied the tents that were pitched up at Matambo’s and Knowledge Ndiya’s houses respectively. These were subsequently used as torture and detention centers. On June 13 2008, John Kwangware reported that CIO operatives broke into his house and blindfolded him. They took him to Matambo’s house where they severely assaulted him and his left eye is permanently damaged as they allegedly tried to remove it.

18 June 2008

David Mupandasekwa  was an MDC polling agent in the March 29 elections and was targeted by the Zanu PF militia attacks . On June 18, 2008 Zanu PF supporters chanting Zanu slogans and holding Mugabe and Mutsvangwa campaign posters, abducted David from his house and hauled him blindfolded to some place where CIO agents heavily assaulted him and left him for dead.

21 June 2008

Theresa Kamasula was abducted to Knowledge Ndiya‘s house, where a tent had been pitched by Mutsvangwa’s team. On arrival she was taken into the tent and was subjected to a terrible assault and torture. The youth who assaulted her threatened to kill her if they wanted. They informed her that they had orders to kill from Mutsvangwa and it was up to them either to kill or spare her. She was then ordered to report to Ndiya’s house everyday to carry out household chores until after the 27 June Election.

21 June 2008

On 21 June 2008 a team of Zanu PF youths riding in Mutsvangwa’s twin cab truck, driven by a local CIO agent known only as Simba , broke into Brian Takaruza’s house in Maridale Norton. They  ransacked the house and stole some personal items , destroying furniture and kitchen utensils. They took all the MDC regalia and used the register to track and assault MDC members.

26 June 2008

Opah Mukweni was abducted on 26 June 2008 from her house and taken to Ndiya’s home to the tent used as the torture base. She was told that the MP (referring to Mutsvangwa) had identified her as the pivotal MDC activist in the constituency and had instructed that she be punished. She was taken through a terrible torture and re-education session that lasted the whole day. The major perpetrators identified were Fungai Garapo, Tarirai Javangwe under the instruction of four unidentified but armed men.

Didymus Mutasa

Didymus Mutasa is the member of parliament for the Headlands constituency in Manicaland Province. He is currently the minister of state in the President’s Office responsible for presidential affairs. Mutasa cast a very long shadow of terror across the entire population of Zimbabwe.

Opposition party activists, members of the civic society, journalists and members of the clergy all have horrific accounts of nasty incidents of violence involving Didymus Mutasa. In 2005 Didymus Mutasa described Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu as “a puppet of the west, a vassal of imperialism and a lost soul.” It appears Mutasa was echoing the speech of his master President Robert Mugabe who had just called Archbishop desmond Tutu “an evil little Bishop.”

When Archbishop Pius Ncube protested that people were starving in areas around Bulawayo and the government was neglecting them, Mutasa called him “a heathen man who lies through his teeth, who needs his head examined for he is a liar.“

Terence Ranger, Emeritus Professor of history at Oxford, has described Didymus Mutasa as “a ruthless and acquisitive politician who is notorious for using violence against his political opponents.” Didymus Mutasa’s character will never cease to amaze those who worked with him in the early 1970s and who described him as a near saint. They have watched their devout Christian fellow transform into a blood thirsty hound who makes a pact with the devil.

In 2002 Didymus Mutasa mentioned that he would not care a hoot if six million people would die in Zimbabwe due to severe food shortages at the time, which were compounded with the Aids pandemic. He publicly noted that the country would be better off with just members of his party Zanu PF and would not mind losing what he called extra people, ostensibly referring to the millions facing death through starvation and disease. Clare Short noted that, ”Mutasa’s statement was unforgivable and that no one should ever forgive him.”

Even members of his own party have not been spared the wrath of his violent and ruthless ill temper. In 2005 Mutasa was reported to have abducted a Zanu PF war veteran Nyakuedzwa and pounded him to near death. This unfortunate soul had dared challenge Mutasa’s nomination during Zanu PF primary elections in Rusape.

Didymus Mutasa has been portrayed by his victims as the most powerful person in Zimbabwe, Mugabe’s blue eyed boy who is absolutely above the law. In 2004 he kicked the then MP for Chimanimani Roy Bennett in Parliament. This was after Bennett had failed to contain his anger  after his patience had been stretched to breaking point when Patrick Chinamasa had churned out a charade of venomous attacks on MP Bennett, describing his ancestry as a band of thieves and murderers. Roy shoved Chinamasa to the floor and was subsequently committed to jail where he languished in filthy and inhuman conditions for 15 months. Didymus Mutasa walked scott free. No-one dared point a finger at him, despite publicly boasting about his kicking antics displayed on Roy Bennett in Parliament.  Didymus Mutasa was not disciplined for his actions but was immediately promoted to Minister of State Security and Land Affairs.

Armed with his new dual insurmountable powers Mutasa launched the infamous operation Murambatsvina (clean up) in May 2005. This exercise manifested immeasurable levels of brutality of the Zanu PF party and government .

More than 700 000 poor families were displaced through  wanton destruction of houses and purportedly illegal structures, some of which had been constructed before 1980. Men, women and children were now in extreme poverty, their lives having been turned inside out within the spur of the moment. They had been robbed off their sources of income and what they called home. These poor souls piled up in makeshift camps along all the major roads of Zimbabwe. A sombre atmosphere downed on the nation. Seething masses of desperate humanity, with glaring signs of hopelessness written on their faces, could be noticed everywhere with their world’s possessions balanced precariously on women’s heads or in bundles under their children’s arms. This was the little they had managed to save from the flames  when troops of soldiers and the police had mowed their houses down, burning the rubble in the process.  All this was because Didymus Mutasa and President Mugabe had been angered by the poor people who had apparently changed allegiance from Zanu PF to the MDC and therefore had to be punished.

In the run up to the presidential run-off elections in June 2008 , Didymus Mutasa unleashed an unprecedented orgy of terror and torture of MDC supporters in Headlands, the whole of  Rusape and its environs. Residents of Rusape urban reported that Didymus Mutasa took over some properties and used them to house hordes of armed youths/operatives that he used to terrorize MDC supporters in Headlands and Makoni constituencies. Below are accounts of some of the horrible incidents in which Mutasa was directly involved or sponsored.

January 3, 2008

A prominent MDC activist, Shepherd Maisiri, who is a poor farmer in the Inyati Resettlement area, has incessantly suffered at the hands of Didymus Mutasa, he has been relentlessly persecuted by Mutasa since 1999. His homestead has been burnt a record seven times in the past 10 years. He has been abducted and tortured by people who have been sent by Didymus Mutasa on numerous occasions, that it’s a wonder to him why he is still alive. The people who have been assigned by Mutasa to haunt him are Walter Rushambwa, Maxwell Chidzambwa, Punish Mhiripiri, Walter Mhepo (now deceased), Kainos Chidzambwa, Albert Makura, ZRP police Inspector Muchazorwa and Lovemore Manenji.

At one time he was put into a jute bag, bundled into Punish Mhiripiri’s truck and dumped in Rusape dam, only to be saved by fishermen laying their nets during that night. On 3 January 2008 Shepherd Maisiri was in Harare when he was manhandled by two men who took him to a waiting car where he was confronted by Didymus Mutasa himself. Mutasa told him that they were going to finish off their struggle that day and he ordered his gang to drive off, leaving a dumbfounded Shepherd shell shocked along Samora Machel Avenue. Later that day a man and a woman followed him to Mbare Musika. They boarded the same bus with him to Mutare, where he was arrested on arrival. put into cells and then released. The two people who had followed him from Harare were at the police station when he was released. Shepherd, sensing danger, managed to outmanoeuvre them and escaped to Mozambique that same night. He was in Mozambique until August 2008, but his wife was raped by Lovemore Manenji on 23 June 2008 as punishment for hiding her husband.

May 22, 2008

Taurayi Kamuchira was abducted by Zanu PF militia and taken to Chinyamukamani base where the youths led by Phillip Mushayi assaulted him with logs, iron bars and whips. He died during the assault. Philip Mushayi told all the people who had been force marched to the base that all MDC supporters who were present had to take their lesson, for what had happened to Kamuchira was going to be meted out on them as well. There was no going back and no one was going to arrest the Zanu PF cadres, since comrade Didymus Mutasa had granted them express authority to kill all people who supported Tsvangirayi.

June 25, 2008

On the night of 25 June 2008 a gang of armed operatives and Didymus Mutasa’s  youths wreaked havoc in Eagles Nest area of Headlands. They were seen driving around in two vehicles, one of which was reported to be Didymus Mutasa’s Toyota Venture. Masitafundikera Gumura was attacked at his home by this gang. They accused him of leading MDC activities in that area, they viciously assaulted him, and witnesses report that the attack was so ruthless that Gumura died during the assault. His wife Aquiline Sanzvengwa Gumura paid for her husband’s sins when she was also assaulted. She sustained severe injuries all over her body though she was taken into hospital the following morning. She passed away on 28 June 2008.

June 25, 2008

On the same fateful evening of June 25 2008  a gang of local Zanu PF youths, accompanied by Mutasa’s operatives from Rusape, pounced on Robert Ziyengwa and his wife at their home in Headlands. The unfortunate couple was guilty of supporting the MDC and urging other people to commit the same crime. The gang used pieces of wood, iron bars and gun butts to assault Robert and wife. The beating was too severe for the ageing couple that they succumbed to the wounds sustained, and both passed away during the assault.

June 25, 2008

Residents of the Eagles Nest now regard June 25, 2008 as the day the devil visited them, for many people fell victim to Didymus Mutasa’s messengers, a  heartless, blood thirsty gang of Zanu PF youths and CIO operatives from Rusape. Many MDC activists were lashed and slashed and the police refused to attend the desperate calls of the maimed villagers. The militia butchered the defenceless folks until the following morning, when they left, their job done, leaving behind a trail of blood and lacerated victims. Sandros Mandizha, another MDC activist who was also assaulted by this band of killers, died early that morning.

June 27, 2008

Taurai Zindomba, another small scale farmer in the headlands area was attacked at his home by a gang of Zanu PF youths and operatives from Rusape. This barbaric gang used barbed wire and a knife to tear and pull Taurai’s intestines out. He died instantly. His brothers Abel and Sternly, touched by what happened to their brother, wept in grief and were savagely assaulted sustaining serious injuries. Fortunately they survived.

July 30, 2009

On July 30, 2009 in Macheke resettlement areas, a 16 year old boy Arnold Mosterd died after being beaten by Zanu PF supporters who accused him of supporting the MDC. Arnold was killed after he had asked for his outstanding wages from his previous employer a local Zanu PF Chairman Harry Munetsi. The seven people who killed Arnold were arrested by the police but Didymus Mutasa MP ordered their release. Mutasa ordered the villagers in the area to deal with any strangers who would come into the area inquiring about the death.

Edward Raradza is the Zanu PF member of the House of Assembly for Muzarabani South Constituency. Edward Raradza won the seat unopposed in March 2008 elections and it has remained an unresolved puzzle why the MDC candidate failed to file their papers with the nomination court. Raradza, who has since time immemorial hero worshipped President Robert Mugabe for giving him farms for free, breathed brimstone and fire in his campaign for his Zanu PF party presidential candidate in April to June 2008.

Raradza organized large groups of motley militia gangs comprising Zanu PF youths, soldiers, police and CIO operatives to terrorize MDC supporters in the whole of Muzarabani District. He was assisted by his colleagues in Zanu PF as commanders Bitu Mazhuwana, Proud Photso (ZRP), Diamond Tapana, Owen Sonono, Yahwe (CIO), Charles Chiringa,  Muzanenhamo Kamusengezi (ZNA), Jenia Manyeruke (Senator) and Luckson Bumhira.

Raradza’s vicious and murderous activities were complimented in the north by another equally ruthless character, Luke Mushore, who in command of 400 to 500 youths pounded and tramped on MDC supporters in the same period. This duo of bandits spearheaded the bloody campaign of violence in Muzarabani District. Their relentless efforts to silence the MDC being augmented by yet another strange and uncouth traditional leader Chief  Chisekete, who offered his blessings and service to this trail of destruction, torture and plunder.

This perfectly matched trio meant nothing but death to all MDC supporters in the Dande area. Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore and Chief Kasekete took to the Zanu PF mode of violent campaign like ducks to water, their destructive engagement created a real biblical Armageddon for MDC and civic society members in this northern district. The combined sterling efforts and unwavering leadership of these three true sons of the soil resulted in the deaths of nine MDC supporters, namely (Tennyson Manyimo, Titus Goho, Canaan Dzamwarira, Clemence Chirozva, Learnmore Chingani, Muzumbe, Taurai Chamboko, Ratidzayi Dzenga and Freddy Macheka). These innocent souls were tortured and killed because they had voted for Morgan Tsvangirai in March 2008. Many homes belonging to known MDC supporters were burnt and destroyed to smithereens.

Despite countless reports that have been made by victims to the ZRP police in Muzarabani on the activities of these three men, they have remained free as no one dares touch them. Victims who trudged from their destroyed homes and painstakingly found their way to the police station, some with blood oozing from fresh wounds, were arrested and detained instead. Charges of causing violence or stock theft being preferred on them by the ZRP officer in charge at Muzarabani.

The two, Raradza and Mushore, are honorable members of the parliament of Zimbabwe.  They continue to wield power within the Zanu PF machinery of violence in Muzarabani.

Recently in March and April 2010 this Zanu PF monster has shown its ugly head as 58 MDC supporters were haunted out of their homes and made to camp with their children at Muzarabani police station, where another Zanu PF activist, who is unfortunately the officer in charge, has refused to take action to protect these vulnerable and persecuted members of society. All this has reportedly been done in preparation for the constitution outreach team’s visit. Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore and gang have issued instructions to the effect that no MDC supporter should be allowed to contribute at these constitution meetings in Muzarabani.  Some survivors of the terror campaign in Muzarabani narrated details of their ordeal at the hands of Raradza and gang;

April 2,  2008

On 2 April 2008 the ultimate authority in the Muzarabani district, the Zanu PF campaign team that included Luke Mushore, Edward Raradza, Chief Kasekete and the other members of Zanu militia, attacked Sunungurai Sengweni at his home. They destroyed his house, seriously bashed him and drove away his cattle and goats, he lost everything and is now living in abject poverty.

April 29,  2008

Farirai Hwatura, a losing MDC councilor candidate, was abducted from his home on 29 April 2008 by a group of militants which he described as the CIO, war vets and Zanu PF youths. They took him to a torture camp in the bush far away from his home. Once at the torture base he was confronted and interrogated by the powers that be; Luke Mushore, Edward Raradza, Jenia Manyeruke, Goromondo, Mugariri, W Mbizvo, W Muvhiyiwa, J Kangara, M Maguta, O Ururu and Gagiya. They wanted to know from him all what he knew about the MDC-T.  The CIO agents and the youths assaulted him and warned him that he was going to die if he continued supporting the MDC.

May 1,  2008

On 1 May 2008 a large group of Zanu PF militia attacked Wanzirai Magodo’s homestead. They wantonly pulled all the buildings down, looting and burning was the order of the day. Members of the family were slapped, boxed ,kicked and hacked. The gang stole Z$900,000, 000 during the onslaught  and the family’s only tractor was set on fire . Witnesses and victims identified the perpetrators as Charles Chiringa and Edward Raradza in the company of Zanu PF youths and soldiers.

May 1, 2008

On May 1, 2008 the Zanu PF gangs of militia wreaked havoc in Charunda village. The poor villagers’ lives were decimated as the Zanu PF campaign machinery put what it had learnt best into practice. Scores of villagers were left wounded and homeless as their homes were destroyed, burnt and stripped of their entire life’s possessions. David Kamudzandu was one of the unfortunate villagers to have fallen victim to this Zanu PF swoop of fury. He reported that they assaulted him with such vigour and anger, they kept on striking him as if they would never stop. Bruised and tormented David watched the gang steal his property and burn his homestead to the ground. He lost a television, wardrobe, radio, clothes gas stoves and food stocks. He noted that the team was under the leadership of Edward Raradza and other senior party leaders.

May 2, 2008

In the afternoon of May 2, 2008 a large group of Zanu Pf militia captured Clemence Chirozva from his home in Chamhinda village. They took him into a bush a few hundred metres from his homestead. This rowdy crowd accused Clemence of voting for Tsvangirayi and started assaulting him viciously. He sustained serious wounds on the buttocks and back and he was then warned not to seek any medical help, for the price of doing so was death. When the group finally left, Clemence Chirozva’s homestead was in ruins his house was demolished, household property destroyed and burnt. His family was turned into instant destitution, their food and clothes having been taken away – all what had remained were ashes and nothing more. Members of his family reported that Clemence Chirozva braved and nursed his wounds from May 2008 until he succumbed to the wounds and passed away in September 2009. The militants that made the larger share of the group were not from the area but the victims noticed Edward Raradza (MP), Luke Mushore(MP), Jenia Manyeruke( Senator), Chief Kasekete, Chief Chiweshe, Proud Pfotso (ZRP), Godfrey  Katsiru, Chibau (Zanu PF district chairman) and Avozhi Chibedebede.

May 2, 2008

On the night of 2 May 2008 in the Charunda School area, a gang of Zanu PF supporters in military uniform swarmed on Dzikamayi D Gono at his homestead He was accused of supporting the MDC and they terribly assaulted him, destroyed his property and told him to go and live in England or America. Dzikamayi sustained wounds on his buttocks and face. The perpetrators were Edward Raradza, Proud Pfotso, Tapana Diamond, Owen sonono, Charles Chiringa, CP Mutonga, Njiva, Bitu Mazhuwana, P Chashaya and Chief Kasekete.

May 2, 2008

Attacked on 2 May 2008, Agrippa Charunda described Edward Raradza as head of the military who sent a gang of cheeky zanu PF youths to their village who destroyed several homes and assaulted many MDC supporters. Agrippa was severely assaulted when this gang got him at his home. They took away quite a substantial amount of money in Zimbabwe dollars when they searched his house. They then razed his homestead to the ground burning everything that was in it in the process. They left Agrippa bruised and battered and warned him never to go to the clinic or hospital.

May 2,  2008

Edward Raradza, leading a group of CIO agents, soldiers and more than 500 youths, over ran Charunda village on 2 May 2008. They destroyed Muchanzwa Katsamba’s home, beat up many people accused of supporting the MDC, they forced the subdued men and boys to join them in hunting down other MDC supporters. A base was set up in the village and Raradza said he was looking for men who support the MDC so as to kill them.  Many unfortunate people were dragged to the base for re-education and torture.

May  3, 2008

On 3 May 2008 Patricia Gono’s home was invaded by Edward Raradza and his gang of youths. They interrogated her for a long time then assaulted her and set her home on fire. Everything she owned was destroyed in the inferno and she is now desperately poor and lives close to Charunda School. She reports that her tormenters were Edward Raradza and others.

May  3, 2008

During the afternoon of 3 May 2008, Siraishe Charunda was relaxing at his home when he was awakened by the sound of vehicles approaching. Suddenly he noticed that his homestead had been besieged by an overwhelming crowd of Zanu PF militia and uniformed soldiers.  While the leaders of the group where asking him questions and tossing him around, the militants were pulling down all the building structures at his homestead. They destroyed everything and took away what they wanted and burnt the rest and he lost all what he had, food, clothing, furniture and his home. They heavily assaulted him then left.  Siraishe was injured, confused and desparate. The people he noted as the leaders of the gang were; Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore, Jenia Manyeruke, Chief Kasekete, Chief Chiweshe, Proud Pfotso, Godfrey Katsiru, Chibau and Avozhi Chibedebe.

May 6, 2008

On 6 May 2008 Chief Kasekete, Luke Mushore, Edward Raradza, Handsome Chingwende, Clemence Mukomondera, Robson Chimusingo, Isaac Yobe, Jack Tavengwa and Simba Chingende, in the command of a large contingent of militant Zanu PF youths and other armed men in civilian clothes, surrounded Takaruza Zhanero’s homestead. They hauled him out of his hut and subjected him to a lengthy assault and torture. Satisfied with their work they destroyed his homestead and left. Takaruza Zhanero was accused of voting for the MDC.

May 6, 2008

On 6 May  2008, Emma January got to her home in the evening, coming from where she had attended an MDC meeting in the area. Little did she know that she had committed the worst crime any person would commit in Muzarabani. A Zanu PF youth team from Edward Raradza’s militia was waiting for her at home. As soon as she arrived the youth started assaulting her with sticks, rubber belts, fists and booted feet. She reports that they abused her in every conceivable way and left. She identified the people who attacked her as Kingstone Zisengwe, Alphonce Torevasei, Petros Magwedere, Gift Mushore, Clemence Mukomondera, Isaac Yobe and Handsome Chagwende.

May 6, 2008

On  6 May 2008 Noria Gatsi was taken from her home by Edward Raradza’s militia gang. They never went far away from her home before they started assaulting her with heavy sticks, wire and rubber belts. She sustained serious wounds all over the body and she lost a lot of blood. When she was unconscious they turned their anger on her homestead, tore it to pieces and burnt what ever had remained. She was accused of having voted for the MDC, she reported that the people who assaulted her were; Alphonce Torevasei, Zisengwe, Handsome Chigwende, Clemence Mukomondera, Gift Mushore and Charles Chiringa. All members of Edward Raradza’s close security team.

Fungai Chaderopa is the member of the house of assembly for the Sanyati constituency. She gained notoriety in her constituency in the run up to the 27 June 2008 elections, through her heavily militarized systematic perpetration of political violence in Sanyati. Though relative peace prevailed in Sanyati during the campaign period of the 29 March harmonized elections, there was a dramatic turn of events soon after the results were announced.  Fungai Chaderopa, who had previously feigned a motherly love towards all the people of Sanyati, turned around to devour them.

MDC activists who were unfortunate enough to have been captured and hauled before Chaderopa and her gang of torture tacticians have heart rending stories to tell. Fungai Chaderopa’s team of torturers consisted of Inspector Chiremba (ZRP Sanyati), Constable Magwaza (ZRP Sanyati), Captain Mutodi (ZNA ), Councillor Isaac Muchekeni, Don Dube (ZNA), Councillor Muteshe, Hilda Jonasi, Choga, Maskot Mapute and Frank Munjugwe. This team was in command of hordes of local Zanu PF youth gangs of marauders. These youths were used to flash out and capture all known MDC supporters and those who had served as polling agents in March 29, 2008 elections. These groups of Zanu PF militia had their own ways of punishing the enemy (MDC supporters), but the victim’s real ordeal would begin once they had been delivered to the MP and her military experts.

What made Chaderopa’s mode of operation really effective and unique compared to other constituencies was that she actually had a feel of the victims herself. Chaderopa, working in cahoots with the ZRP officer in charge of Sanyati police station, unlawfully detained MDC supporters in 2008, for periods ranging from three days to 2 weeks without charge. These people were tortured daily and sometimes denied food during their detention. A major share of victims of political violence in the Sanyati Constituency have reported the presence of uniformed police officers at scenes of abduction and torture. A joint operation of armed ZRP officers in uniform and Zanu PF youths has not been as widely reported in any other areas as has been the case with Sanyati.

Many of the MDC supporters abducted in Sanyati by the police always found themselves locked up in Ngezi/Kadoma prisons, their cases having been fast tracked through the magistrates courts in Kadoma. The victims invariably facing charges ranging from half truths and whole lies preferred on them by the arresting details who are reportedly Zanu PF activists. It appears starving her prisoners was Chaderopa’s favourite torture technique as would be substantiated by the victims accounts of their terrible moments at the hands of Fungai Chaderopa and gang.

June 2, 2008

Okie Mazhindu was forcibly  taken from his home on 2 June  2008 by a group of Zanu PF youths in the company of Captain Mutodi. They dragged him to Sanyati Council premises where a meeting of Zanu PF supporters was in progress. Mazhindu was forced to confess that he was an MDC activist whilst he is a village head. They also wanted to know why his daughters where not attending Zanu PF meetings. Since his abduction on 2 June 2008 Okie Mazhindu had a torrid time. He was put at the mercy of  the soldiers and the Zanu PF militia, as he was shuffled daily from one Zanu PF rally to the next, confessing his sin of supporting the MDC when he is a village head. He was denied food and water during his trying times and they tortured him from morning till the evening. Mazhindu noted that he was humiliated before the young boys and girls, before all those women and men who respected him. He was so overcome with the pain that he used to openly shed tears at these meetings. He was released on 22 June 2008 after Chaderopa and the army units had completed addressing rallies in Sanyati.

June 7, 2008

Jaison Hlabati Shoko was taken from home on 7 June 2008 by armed soldiers in uniform. They were using a police truck that took him to Arda Estates in Sanyati. At Arda he found MP Chaderopa waiting for them and he was heavily assaulted by members of the army, with Don Dube leading the assault. He was warned against seeking medical help for they would kill anyone who dared treat him. After the soldiers had satisfied themselves that Shoko had been punished enough they surrendered him to ZRP Sanyati, who detained him for four days without food. Shoko notes that the soldiers who were abducting and assaulting people in Sanyati had come into the constituency under the guise of Operation Maguta (an army agricultural inputs supply programme) but their main objective was to hunt down and punish all MDC activists.

June 22, 2008

On 22 June 2008, Zanu PF youths abducted Simon Mupoperi, a known MDC activist  from his home. On arrival at Mupoperi homestead the Zanu PF youths and war veterans accused him of supporting the MDC and changing the political fortunes of Zanu PF in Sanyati in favor of Tsvangirai. He also had another case to answer, that of failing to attend Zanu PF meetings called for by Chaderopa. They then on the spot vented their anger on him. They worked him over with his wife and children watching. While the psychopaths concentrated on the assault, the wife managed to sneak away with the children before they had turned their attention on her. They then dragged him and handed him over to Fungai Chaderopa and her troops. He was bundled into their vehicle and taken to a torture base set up at the ARDA estate in Sanyati.

At the base, Simon was subjected to a severe bout of torture, which included heavy and thorough beatings using wooden hoe handles, open hands, fists, booted feet and baton sticks, punctuated by sessions of cold water boarding. The beatings lasted a whole night of torment from which he sustained serious injuries to the buttocks, back and all over the body and suffered a fractured right wrist. He was released into the hands of ZRP Sanyati who detained him for four days without food, after which they set him free without any charges. Mupoperi has not fully recovered from the injuries and trauma more than a year after the attack.

June 23, 2008

On 23 June 2008, Levy Matolela was taken from home by a band of militia, Zanu PF youths and war veterans. They took him to their local torture base at Geja Clinic, where unfortunately for him MP Fungai Chaderopa and her unit had visited on their routine supervisory round.  Levy was immediately taken through paces of political reorientation sessions, which included torture and assaults, with Fungai Chaderopa physically participating in the whipping and punching.  Matolela’s ordeal lasted for twelve hours during which time Chaderopa made him sing Chimurenga songs on his own and dance to the melodies, whilst chanting Zanu PF slogans. Levy described Chaderopa as a much more ruthless master and her beatings too severe than the military men in her company. She issued orders that the prisoners would not be given any food until their release.

June 23, 2008

On 23 June 2008 a physically disadvantaged, wheelchair bound, Augustine Hozheri, was hauled before Fungai Chaderopa. His crime was supporting the MDC and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai, an inexcusable crime (according to Chaderopa) that called for a deterrent punishment to serve as an example to would be offenders. She pushed and shoved Augustine around in his already broken down wheelchair. Though Augustine was lucky in that he was not beaten up as is the Zanu PF militia tradition, he was denied food and water for the whole day until his release the following day. His wheelchair was further damaged during the interrogation.

June 23, 2008

An MDC Councillor candidate, Synthea Hozhele, was abducted from her home in Ndava village by a group of 20 Zanu PF youths on 23 June 2008 . The youths told her that she had to go with them because the elders were waiting for her. They harassed her as they pushed her to Geja Clinic where a large crowd had been gathered. Fungai Chaderopa, Councillor Isaac Muchekeni, Captain Mutodi and some armed ZNA military  personnel in uniform, interrogated her for the whole day. They wanted to extract from her all information about the operations of the MDC in the area. She was denied food and water throughout the day and she was only released later in the evening the same day. They stressed on her that they would come back for her after the 27^th of June election results. The soldiers warned her for her continued support of the MDC, stressing that it is Zanu PF only that all people should support and supporting the MDC is not permissible.  Synthea reports that she was highly traumatized by this incident.

Herbert Paul Mazikani is the MP for Mbire constituency in Mashonaland Central province. He has been described as the chief perpetrator of political violence by many victims of his terror campaign in that part of Guruve north, now Mbire district. He is on record for having invariably vowed to crush all MDC supporters at all the Zanu PF campaign rallies he addressed during the run up to the presidential elections in June 2008. Many MDC supporters from his constituency, who were victims of his extensive and brutal trail of assault and torture, fear him and his well calculated method of instilling fear in his victims was to have his victims  assaulted and tortured at his rallies, as a warning to all those who were supporting or dared to support the MDC. Listed below are some of the recorded incidents of political violence where Herbert Mazikani was personally involved.

31 March 2008

A gang using a truck provided by MP Mazikani attacked Gabriel Mativa for supporting the MDC. They warned him that they could kill him if they wanted to. They smashed his car and stole some parts. They forced him to denounce the MDC in front of a crowd at a meeting called for by Mazikani and they viciously assaulted Gabriel and poured water all over his body.

April 1, 2008

Chrispen Chiutsi, an MDC polling agent in the area, was singled out by Mazikani at a rally that everyone had been forced to attend by uniformed soldiers. Mazikani instructed Zanu PF youths to treat Chiutsi so that everyone would get their lesson never to support MDC again. Chrispen was then heavily assaulted by a group of the youths. He lost consciousness and they poured cold water on him so to revive him, only to be subjected to another ruthless beating. He was assisted to go home by his relatives but died soon after arrival at home.

April 2, 2008

On 2 April 2008 a team of Zanu PF militia and war veterans, riding in a truck displaying Zanu PF campaign posters driven by MP Mazikani, abducted an MDC ward official Gift Ranjisi, They hit him with a brick on the head, bashed his face with fists that he sustained serious injuries, amongst the people who attacked Ranjisi were Reuben Mutangea, Josiah Gomba and Wembudzi.

April 5, 2008

A Zanu PF militia gang, some of them dressed in ZNA uniforms driving in MP Mazikani’s truck, invaded Biggie Zhuwawo homestead. They destroyed the huts and  everything inside and they accused Biggie of leading MDC campaigns in the area. They brutally assaulted him and he died during the assault. Their job done they left the body sprawled amongst the rubble of what was his home.

April 12, 2008

Hobson Muzurura was humiliated when Zanu supporters assaulted and poured water all over his body in front of a large crowd addressed by MP Mazikani. They forced him to surrender but he refused and was subjected to a terrible assault.

April 12, 2008

Eustina Gwanya was assaulted at a meeting addressed by Mazikani, on April 12, 2008. She was assaulted and tortured, watched by quite a huge gathering of several villages who had been forced to attend this meeting. They told her that they were punishing her for supporting the MDC and they wanted her to repent.

April 23, 2008

Stanslius Mupariwa was abducted on April 23 and detained for 8 days. He was brutally assaulted by the Zanu youth at Bvochora base that was set up by Mazikani and war vets. They accused him of supporting the MDC. They would beat him with sticks and knobkerries and pour cold water on him during the night and he was made to sleep in the open without blankets. He was released after eight days of torture and Mazikani had given the order that all prisoners be released.

May 05, 2008

The Mazikani lead gang of Zanu PF party militia surrounded Tinoda Tizora’s homestead in the early hours of the day on 5 May 2008. They accused him of being a polling agent for the MDC in March 2008 elections. They destroyed his entire homestead and they also looted his property including goats and chickens that were taken away for consumption at their torture base.

June 1, 2008

Herbert Mazikani on 01 June 2008 watched his gang of Zanu PF youths descend on the Vito homestead. The whole family was savagely assaulted – mother, father and children. They took away the father to Nyamusere base where he was to be detained for two months. After the other members of the gang had adequately punished the family for supporting the MDC Mudzonga Chisvo was not satisfied he kept on assaulting the mother Anna Vito, until she died on the spot. The husband Vito pleaded with Mazikani to restrain Chisvo, but the MP refused and encouraged Chisvo instead.

July 2, 2008

A gang of Zanu youths, acting under the instructions of MP Mazikani, attacked Munoda Mushayike at his home. He said that he wanted to cleanse the area of all MDC supporters. The youths accused Munoda of having voted for the MDC in the Presidential run off. He sustained serious injuries from the beating and he died soon after the brutal attack.

June 5, 2008

At a rally held at Ruvinga school, Merit Matohwe was told to denounce MDC and surrender to Zanu PF. She was beaten up in the presence of Mazikani and they poured water on her and humiliated her in whatever way. She was later assaulted again after the rally and released.

June 5, 2008

Kudakwashe Manyika was forced to attend a Zanu meeting held at a nearby village that was to be addressed by MP Mazikani. His name was noted at the meeting as one of the wanted MDC organizers in the area and he was summoned to sit as a prisoner before the gathering  and he was then severely assaulted soon after the meeting.

June 12, 2008

Mazikani, leading a  group of Zanu PF supporters, captured Titus Goho on June 12, 2008  from his home and took him to their base. They accused him of supporting the MDC T and  they assaulted him until he died. His body was ferried by Mazikani’s vehicle and dumped close to Goho’s homestead.

June 14, 2008

Erina Nyamurisa was dragged from her home and taken to a rally in Mazikani’s truck. They accused her of being an MDC supporter since her  husband was the MDC Councillor for ward 7 and he also was a polling agent during the March 29 elections, so had ran away from the area after receiving some death threats, Erina was assaulted at the meeting and dirty water poured on her as the beatings continued with the crowd witnessing and cheering the perpetrators.

June 20, 2008

Ireen Katembo was taken to Magwenya base where she was assaulted and threatened with death. She was detained there for two days. On the third day she was bundled into Mazikani’s vehicle and taken to a rally at Ruvinga School where she was assaulted before a crowd of  Zanu PF supporters .

July 3, 2008

Dickson Sibanda was murdered by armed war veterans and youth militia at 2200 hrs at his home. During the day this Zanu PF gang had called him to their base where they accused him of supporting the MDC. They made him pay a goat as a fine for his crime and he was allowed to go home. The MP Mazikani told them that they should have beaten him and they then revisited him and assaulted him till he died.

Jawet Kazangarare is a Zanu PF ward Councillor in the Hurungwe District Council in Mashonaland West Province. He is a war veteran and an ex-member of the Zimbabwe National Army who has been living in the Kazangarare area like any other resident. Soon after the harmonized elections in March 2008 Kazangarare miraculously transformed from being an unnoticeable barefooted villager in the community to become a gun totting ruthless and bloody thirsty Zanu PF looting bandit, feared by all in the whole of Hurungwe district. Kazangarare set up a base at his own home. This was code named base one, where many people where butchered, tortured and women raped.

Jawet Kazangarare, Peter Madamombe (ZNA) and Brighton Madhuveko (DEO) joined hands to form a treacherous threesome murder squad that terrorized everyone, the police included. Kazangarare and his comrades,all armed with AK 47 assault rifles, would go to police stations hunting for victims who would have dared report their cases or seek refuge there. The police could not do anything, it appears their hands were tied, Jawet Kazangarare and his gang were a law unto themselves.

In the period April to June 2008 Jawet Kazangarare personally assaulted a total of 91 MDC supporters.  All Jawet’s victims would be brought to his home by Zanu PF youths and these unfortunate MDC supporters would stand trial before Kazangarare .They were all invariably found guilty and severely punished, the punishment ranged from severe assaults, rape and forced labour in Jawet’s own fields. Witnesses reported that Jawet assaulted his wives and children after they had expressed their concern about his brutal and devilish activities at his home. Kazangarare was involved in heart rending and greasily incidents of political violence. His character is grossly inhuman and many women and children have suffered at his hands and it’s a wonder why Zanu PF and the police are protecting him from prosecution. He currently serves as a Councillor in the Hurungwe District council and his traumatized victims watch him going about his daily business and issuing more threats of attacks and murder if they refuse to obey Zanu PF orders during the constitutional making process.

June 2008

In June 2008 Jawet Kazangarare raped 13 year old Ella Ruvanga at his torture base , inflicting severe injuries to her vagina. The child bled for weeks after the assault but she was not allowed to seek medical attention. This case was reported to the police at Kazangarare police post, but the police refused to arrest him. Ella was raped because her father was suspected of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai. She had been ordered to carry out domestic chores at Kazangarare’s home before she was raped in the hut which was used by Jawet as a torture chamber.

June 2008

Jawet in June 2008, before the 27 run off, proposed love to Oripa Ndyara. When he was turned down he organized for Oripa to be taken to the base where he raped her assisted by six other Zanu PF youths, who also took turns to rape her as well. Oripa reported her case to the police but nothing was done, the police informed her that this was a political issue and the police were not allowed to interfere.

June 2008

In the run up to the June 2008 elections, Jawet Kazangarare accused his niece Sarudzai Kazangarare of sympathizing with MDC supporters. He ordered her to report to his torture base and Jawet raped her as punishment for her crime. She fell pregnant as a result of the rape and a report was made to the police, but nothing was done.

23 June 2008

On 23 June 2008 Keneth Kateyo, one of the commanders of the Zanu PF terror gang in Hurungwe North, ordered Violet Mwayira, wife to an MDC activist, to attend a campaign meeting at Jawet Kazangarare’s homestead. Worried about Violet’s security her sister offered to accompany her to the meeting. Whilst on their way to the torture base Jawet Kazangarare, Kenneth Kateyo and his six other members of the dreaded Zanu militia way laid them in a bush near Kazangarare’s home.

The men suddenly appeared from nowhere and they commended Violet for having been wise in bringing her sister along. They manhandled the terrified middle aged women dragging them into the bush where they took turns to rape them. After the attack Keneth Kateyo told Violet that she had paid for her support of the MDC and her case was now cleared . She had been baptized back into Zanu PF. The victims noted that the men were wearing condoms, an indication that the attack had been planned. The victims reported to the police at Kazangarare police post but the police refused to act.

June 14, 2008

Jawet Kazangarare, in the company of Peter Madamombe (ZNA) and Brighton Madhuveko (DEO), abducted and murdered three MDC activists; Victor Mungazi on 14 June 2008, Elliot Machipisa on 17 June 2008 and Gono Karuru on 18 June 2008. These MDC district officials were all killed in similar circumstances. Kazangarare and his two accomplices would abduct their victims from their homes at night and their bodies were discovered by the roadside the very morning following the night of abduction.

25 April 2008

Wilson Makanyaire vigorously campaigned for the MDC in March 2008. Little did he know that he was committing an inexcusable crime. Peter Shiri and Jawet Kazangarare were assigned by Perence Shiri to deal with him. A gang of youths were dispatched to hunt and abduct Wilson. The group caught up with him at his home and a scuffle ensued and he managed to escape but with a lacerated ear. He sought refuge in Harare where his ear was stitched up at the Avenues clinic.

11 April 2008

Jawet Kazangarare and his group of Zanu PF youths and other Zanu youths stormed Magret Nhende’s homestead. They hauled her out of her hut accusing her of voting for the MDC and they interrogated her about the activities of her party. Jawet Kazangarare told Magret that they would kill her if they wanted. The thugs assured her that they would come back for her later. They then took away 2 goats, 5 chickens and 2 bags of maize for consumption at Base one

12 April 2008

Elizabeth Soko and husband were sleeping when a group of Zanu PF militia invaded their rural homestead at midnight. The cheeky gang destroyed doors and windows and forced their way into the huts in search of Elizabeth and her husband. The husband managed to sneak away during the attack. Unfortunately Elizabeth was not fast enough and they captured her and she was brought before Jawet Kazangarare for trial. They tortured and questioned her about her husband and the MDC. Kazangarare ordered her to pack her things and leave the area without delay if she wanted to survive. The youths looted her property including goats and chicken.

25 April 2008

Though Peter Soko had survived a vicious Zanu PF militia attack on his home before, and had lived in the bush playing hide and seek with the marauding war veterans and youths, luck ran out for him when he was finally mobbed and captured at their local business centre on April 25 2008 by Zanu PF youths assisted by armed soldiers. Since Peter was the MDC district vice chairman they kicked and punched him at the shops for all to see, so as to deter would be MDC sympathizers. He was then taken to Jawet Kazangarare where he was brutally assaulted with logs and baton sticks. They forced him to surrender everything he had that belonged to the MDC.

14 April 2008

The local Zanu PF youths accused Rhoda Mberenga of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai. She was abducted and taken to Jawet Kazangare’s base, where she was made to stand trial before a kangaroo court. She was ordered to fetch water and do all the household chores for the militants at the base for a week. Whilst at the base she was taken through a political reorientation process where she was made to sing chimurenga songs and chant Zanu PF slogans, she paid the local chief a chicken on her release as a fine for supporting the MDC.

23 April 2008

Jonathan Dhlomani was abducted during the night of April 23 2008 by a group of Zanu PF militia led by Jawet Kazangarare. They took him to Nyamahape Primary School where a base had been set up for the area. Jonathan considers himself lucky to be alive. He reported that for the three days he was captive the gang subjected him to a seemingly endless severe bout of torturel; they pulled his genitals, exposed him to cold water boarding, they twisted his body into every conceivable posture, heavily assaulting him in the process.

21 April 2008

Kumbirai Nharara had visited his mother at Goodhope farm. As he had arrived Zanu PF youths surrounded the homestead and accused the family of supporting the MDC. They abducted Kumbirai to their base where they heavily assaulted him he suffered serious injuries, sustained fractures on both hands.

25 April 2008

Carlton Mugariwa was an MDC polling agent in the March 2008 elections. Because of this Kazangarare and gang visited him during the night of April 21 2008. They took him to their base for sessions of intense interrogation, punctuated by terrible beatings. They assaulted him all over the body and fractured his right hand.

10 April 2008

Sophia Kasenga was one of the people who fell victim to Jawet’s war against MDC polling agents. Armed with guns Kazangarare and his militia invaded Kasenga homestead on the night of 10 April 2008. Sophia and her husband outwitted the murder squad and managed to escape from their house. Angered by their failure to apprehend the victims they looted property from the house and destroyed what had remained.  Sophia reported the matter to the police at Kazangarare police post but the police, according to their newly acquired culture, refused to effect any arrest, despite the fact that Sophia knew all the people who had attacked and looted her home.

18 April 2008

Kudakwashe Hozo was a teacher at a local primary school. Being a civil servant he was not supposed to support the MDC. Jawet Kazangarare summoned Hozo to appear before him at his home, which he used as a torture base. Zanu PF youths, following the orders of their supreme commander, abducted Hozo and punished him for his crime on the way to base one. At the base he was taken through Zanu PF’s re-education process where Hozo was made to sing songs denouncing the MDC and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai.  Kudakwashe Hozo was ordered to quit his job and leave the area. He complied and is now unemployed.

9 April 2008

Jawet Kazangarare and his Zanu PF comrades dragged Shamiso Muchemwa from her home and accused her of voting for the MDC. She noted that they forced her to roll in wet mud and in that humiliating state was made to appear at a Zanu PF meeting, where she was forced to surrender her party regalia, cards and to rejoin Zanu PF. They threatened to assault and chase her out of the village.

9 April 2008

Solomon Kawocha was taken prisoner by Jawet Kazangarare and his militia on April 9 2008. They force marched him to Dunga business centre where Zanu PF was holding a campaign rally. Kazangarare pummeled Solomon Kawocha before the crowd, making him roll on the dusty ground .They called him a sellout and continued assaulting him until the passed out.

9 April 2008

Zanu PF youths led by Jawet Kazangarare  abducted Samson Mhereyenyoka from his home and dragged him to a Zanu PF meeting, where Kazangarare slapped him several times and he as forced to denounce the MDC. He was released soon after the meeting and he fled from the area.

7 April 2008

Bloodshaw Jarisa was attacked at his home by Jawet Kangarare and his gang of armed youths during the night of 7 April 2008. They brutally assaulted him and destroyed his entire homestead. Jarisa reported the incident to the police who confirmed that they had received information on that case, but they never acted and the perpetrators are still free.

11 April 2008

Zanu PF youths armed with guns, assaulted Mabelreign Puchurenga at around 2am on 11 April 2008. Upon arrival at Puchurenga’s home they wreaked havoc assaulting the whole family and everyone young and old were left sprawled on the ground. This was all because Mabelreign was suspected of voting for the MDC. Satisfied with their work the gang looted what they wanted from the household effects and took away some goats and chickens. Puchurenga reported the assault and the theft to the police but nothing was done to the bandits. Instead Jawet Kazangarare followed him up to the police post and threatened to kill him. That’s when he ran for dear life and left the area.

7 April 2008

Jawet Kazangarare and his youths forced their way into Susan Kajongwe’s hut during the night. They were looking for her husband who fortunately had got wind of the raid before and had long left before their arrival. They tore and burnt all Tsvangirai’s posters that were in the hut,  the militia then left taking with them chickens and maize to use as food at the base but not before warning Susan to leave the area and look for her husband or risk an assault.

18 April 2008

Wilson Bonyongwe, who was a polling agent for the MDC in the March 2008 elections, was abducted at gun point by Jawet Kazangarare on 18 April 2008. They suspended him head down from a tree and assaulted him all over the body and he sustained serious injuries. Youths were sent to collect MDC material from his house but took away maize and chickens. Bonyongwe left the area soon after the assault .

12 April 2008

Alice Mavhudzi was attacked by Zanu PF youths on 12 April 2008. They took her toJawet Kazangarare’s base where she was assaulted by Jawet and the other youths. She managed to escape after the assault and made a report at Kazangarare police station. The police told her that they could not assist. Realizing the futility of her callous efforts and the dangers awaiting her at home she fled from the area and sought refuge with relatives elsewhere.

26 April 2008

Stanley Jaramba was ordered to surrender to Zanu PF and to declare that he had relinquished MDC membership. He refused and this angered Jawet who immediately ordered that Jaramba be brought to his base. Jaramba was dragged to the base where he was interrogated and heavily assaulted.

21 April 2008

Patience Machipisa was found guilty of supporting the MDC and she was taken to Jawet’s base. Youths under the instructions of Jawet Kazangarare assaulted Patience on the buttocks using heavy sticks and wire. She sustained serious injuries around her back and hands.

25 April 2008

Staben Kaunda was severely bashed by Jawet Kazangarare and gang on the night of 25 April 2008. They made him pay a chicken to the Chief E Kaunda as punishment for voting for the MDC. Jawet told Staben to leave the area and never to return again, because he was influencing people to turn against Zanu PF.

25 April 2008

Jawet Kazangarare led Zanu youths who assaulted Pilot Kaunda at his home on April 25 2008. Kaunda sustained serious injuries all over the body. As if that was not enough they placed Pilot under house arrest so that he could not leave the area to access medical assistance.

12 April 2008

Linos Mumbwanda, brother to the slain MDC activist Tapiwa Mumbwanda, was also attacked on 12 April 2008. A group of youths led by Jawet Kazangarare and Peter Madamombe, surrounded his homestead throwing stones at the roof of his house. On hearing the noise Linos went outside the house to investigate and was hit on the head with a stone. He collapsed and they left him for dead.

5 May 2008

About 50 Zanu youths came on different occasions looking for George Mukombwe’s son whom they wanted to kill as he was a prominent MDC activist. He had fled so they turned their anger on the father. He was assaulted on two occasions, then he left the area. On their next visit they failed to get their victim and they destroyed his home to the ground.

Kudakwashe Basikiti is the Member of the House of Assembly for Mwenezi East Constituency. In March 2010 reports from Mwenezi have noted that Basikiti is now moving around Mwenezi district with a group of Zanu PF militia setting up bases in preparation for the constitution outreach programme as well as elections that are likely to follow immediately after the finalization of the new constitution.

These torture bases have been set up in the resettlement areas, Maranda, Dinhe and Neshuro areas. He has declared Mwenezi a liberated zone for Zanu PF and a no go area for the MDC. Ordinary poor villagers have been warned that they will be killed if they do not support the Kariba draft and that nothing will save them if they are found out that they are supporting the MDC. It appears Basikiti is not aware that his actions are unlawful as he has been quoted in the press openly declaring that “Mwenezi is a Zanu PF stronghold, the opposition has no room and will never have it”. His ill conceived perception of the current situation in Mwenezi district is that there is nothing wrong with what the militia is doing, he says they are urging their people to remain vigilant.

Basikiti secured a landslide victory in the March 29, 2008 elections because he is on record for having threatened that he would ban all people who do not vote for him from receiving GMB and NGO food. He took advantage of the acute poverty so prevalent in the district, which unfortunately lies in ecological zone four. Crop production is very poor and villagers survive on food from the GMB and handouts from humanitarian organizations. Most young people from Mwenezi district have fled to South Africa because of economic and political reasons and MP Basikiti is haunting the submissive ageing population of Mwenezi, riding on the crest of their illiteracy and vulnerability.

It is not the first time that this controversial character has manifested his bizarre reasoning capabilities. On February 3, 2009, either through sheer ignorance or religiously following orders from his handlers in Zanu PF, he caused quite an uproar in parliament that brought business in the house to a standstill when he made utterances that the Prime Minister and his party had invited travelling and financial restrictions imposed by western governments on Zanu PF cronies and businesses with Zanu PF links.

In the period April to June 2008 Kudakwashe Basikiti and his band of Zanu PF militia and armed state agents,  probably incensed by the MDC’ s victory in the March 2008 elections, went on the offensive against MDC supporters in Mwenezi. Their rampage left a trail of  a wanton destruction of property including homes and livestock. Their indiscriminate attacks on MDC supporters and their families left men, women and children maimed and displaced. Several MDC activists lost their lives at the hands of this MP. Most of the reported acts of aggression and brutal attacks in which Basikiti was directly involved resulted in fatalities. Basikiti was however rewarded for his brutality with a coveted seat on the Zanu PF supreme decision making body, the Communist styled Politiburo.

June 14, 2008

On 14 June 2008 ,Kennedy Dube was abducted from his home during the night and taken to a base in Maranda village. Members of his family who witnessed the abduction reported that the Zanu PF youths tied his hands behind his back and beat him up whilst his family watched. They then said they were taking him to stand before their party officials to answer questions on why he supports the MDC. They took him to the base where he was detained for the whole night. His family reported to the police that their relative had been taken to the base and they went to the base in the morning of 14 June to check, but could not rescue them. They just asked some questions and were told that the two men were Basikiti’s prisoners and were to be released that day. The police just left and never reported back to the family. Some community members who had been coerced into staying at the base noted that Kudakwashe Basikiti visited the base the following morning and two prisoners were subjected to some intensive questioning, followed by severe beatings. The two prisoners, who were also friends Kenedy Dube and Kennedy Mapuranga, succumbed to the torture and died at the base at 10.am June 14, 2008. The base was hastily abandoned and the corpses were collected by the police, but no arrests were made.

June 17, 2008

A teacher reported as Mr Muguni was approached at Neshuro Business centre by youths dressed in the National Service youths green uniform, and in the company of two armed people in plain clothes. They asked him why he had campaigned and voted for the MDC. Witnesses say when he expressed ignorance of what they were talking about they started to beat him up. The group pounded Muguni with booted feet, fists and baton sticks. The assault continued for quite some time and they only stopped when Muguni had stopped screaming and was motionless. People who had seen it happening rushed to assist Muguni but discovered that he was dead. MP Basikiti picked up the murder squad in his party truck and drove off at high speed from the centre.

June 23 2008

On 23 June 2008 Stanley Mapuranga was attacked by a mob of Zanu PF supporters, youths and armed agents who were travelling in a convoy with their MP Kudakwashe Basikiti. Witnesses reported that these people were actually celebrating Morgan Tsvangirai’s withdrawal from the Presidential run off elections when lucky ran out for the MDC ward official Stanley Mapuranga  and they caught up with him at Maranda village. They viciously assaulted him using every type of weapon they could lay their hands on, and in a very few moments Stanley was left deformed and sprawled in a pool of blood. When his relatives tried to rescue him after the marauding thugs had left  he was already dead. Those who were present when he was buried noted that his body was so badly damaged that it was difficult to handle. Reportedly all the bones in his body had been broken.

June 23, 2008

On the fateful day 23 June 2008 John Dube, a known MDC activist in Mwenezi district, was proudly donning his MDC  t-shirt when Basikiti’s convoy of people, who were celebrating Tsvangirai’s withdrawal from the Presidential run off, descended on Neshuro Business Centre. They grabbed John Dube and bundled him into one of the trucks. They never drove away from the shops but stood in a circle around the truck and it appeared Basikiti was issuing some instructions when suddenly the gang threw John out of the truck and started pelting him with stones iron bars and an assortment of other weapons. He died during the assault with the MP closely watching the assault. Basikiti and his troops drove off, leaving what had been John Dube lying stiff under the pile of stones, sticks and bricks.

Luke Mushore is the Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Muzarabani North Constituency. He is the only senior politician who has never cared to conceal his involvement in political violence. Mushore has, since the formation of the MDC, openly declared his intention to exterminate MDC supporters in Muzarabani. Living up to his word on 3 May 2008, Luke Mushore, assisted by Chief Kasekete, addressed a rally at Hoya Primary School where hordes of people willing or unwilling had been force marched by the Zanu PF militia.

At this rally MP Mushore was never economic with the truth and he warned MDC supporters in Muzarabani that they all faced death and indeed nine members of the then opposition MDC were brutally murdered in the run up to the June 27 elections. Reports from communities note that these people were callously butchered in cold blood and Luke Mushore and Edward Raradza presided over the killings. Not to be out done at the Hoya rally was Chief Kasekete, who told the Zanu PF militia and military personnel present at the gathering that he wanted to see the skies above Muzarabani glow with light radiating from fires burning the homes of MDC supporters that Saturday night. In order to demonstrate that Zanu PF meant business, Derick Musona, Israel Kuimba and Kudakwashe Charonda were ruthlessly lashed and punched with the crowd watching the punishment, probably well calculated to instill fear into the people.  Witnesses reported that these three MDC ward officials sustained serious injuries and were instructed never to seek any medical help.

It appears violence is Luke Mushore’s way of life. On 23 March 2010 Luke Mushore ordered villagers to attend another meeting at Hoya Primary School. He told the people that he did not recognize Morgan Tsvangirai as an authority in government and he likened him to a fly seating on the steering wheel of a car being driven by Zanu PF. He added that in Muzarabani Zanu PF does not know what the GNU is and do not even want to know. Also officiating at this meeting were Yahwe (CIO), Kamusengezi (ZNA), Chief Kasekete, Godfrey Katsiru (Zanu PF youths), Proud Photso ( ZRP) and Avozhi Chibedebede (war vet).

Kamusengezi informed the meeting that all those people who were MDC election candidates in March 2008 would be taken away before the Constitution outreach teams arrive in Muzarabani and that only certain selected individuals will be allowed to say anything at these meetings. Luke Mushore also warned churches that allowed MDC supporters to attend their prayers, that they risked their lives. A few days later several families of MDC supporters were terrorized out of their villages and sought refuge at St Alberts Mission. A local AFM church structure was subsequently burnt to the ground a week after the meeting at Hoya.

MDC supporters in Muzarabani North are now living in fear for they know that Luke Mushore is a dedicated Zanu PF militant who carries out his threats without failure. Reports have been recently made to the police and some victims have even camped outside the police station but nothing has been done to rein in the vicious honorable Member of Parliament Luke Mushore.

In 2008 Luke Mushore, on a mission to eliminate MDC supporters from Muzarabani, moved around the district in charge of large groups of Zanu PF youths. He was assisted by middle level commanders who included Godfrey Katsiru, Avozhi Chibedebede, Clever Goromondo, Mugariri, Washington Mbizvo, N. Muvhiyiwa, James Kangara, M.Maguta, O.Karuru, Gagiya, Clemence Mukumondera, Worse Chihowa, Enock Chipendo and Nyanyiwa Mbofana. This group created havoc for MDC supporters in Muzarabani and some of the people who fell victim to Luke Mushore’s gang gave accounts of their experiences below:

May 1, 2008

On 1 May 2008 MP Luke Mushore and Jenia Manyeruke (Senator) addressed a rally at Machaya School where they urged their supporters to deal with all MDC supporters. Alexander Mazarire was attacked by Zanu PF youths coming from this rally and he was lucky that he managed to escape. But the angry mob destroyed his property and set his home on fire. Alexander now wallows in poverty and he lost everything in the attack.

April 28, 2008

Luke Mushore, in the company of Jenia Manyeruke, Goromondo, Mugariri, Washington Mbizvo, W Muvhiyiwa, James Kangara, M.Maguta, O.Karuru and Gagiya mobbed Farirai Hwata at Gumbochuma Primary School on 28 April 2008.

The CIO, war vets and the youths dragged Farirai from his house to a bush nearby, where they assaulted him and threatened him with death if he continued to support the MDC .

May 10, 2008

On 10 May 2008 the group of Zanu PF militia searching for Andy Samvuu caught up with him at his home .They accused him of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai and that he wanted to sell the land to the whites, so they heavily assaulted him, looted his property, destroyed his entire homestead and set everything on fire. He identified amongst the group; Luke Mushore, Chamunorwa Chizengeya and Chimusingo.

May 5, 2008

Klefas Hokonya sustained serious injuries after he was abducted by Luke Mushore’s gang of militia who beat him up using an assortment of weapons at Machaya School. After Klefas had lost consciousness, the Zanu PF thugs destroyed his home to the ground. He reported that the people who attacked him were; Worse Chihowa, Enock Chipendo, Nyanyiwa Mbofana, Luke Mushore and others.

May 6, 2008

On 6 May 2008, Godfrey Sosa, Gift Mushore, Evans Mahachi, Sunwick Bananga, Skipper Chitengu, Monde Phiri and Tasiwa Gatsi were among the group of militia that tortured Tafadzwa Mudyirapo at Machaya School. They indecently assaulted Tafadzwa, attempting to rape her but she bravely resisted. They struck her all over the body and the gang destroyed her homestead leaving her homeless in the process.

May 6, 2008

Noria Gatsi’s home near Machaya school was demolished by members from Mushore’s gang of Zanu PF militia. They set whatever was there on fire, they attacked her with various weapons and left her bleeding profusely in the wake of their destruction. Noria noticed Zanu PF supporters who had accused her earlier on of voting for the MDC – Alphonce Torevasei, Columbus Zisengwe, Handsome Chigwende, Clemence Mukomondera and Gift Mushore.

May 6, 2008

Loraine Kanhukamwe, another victim of Luke Mushore’s machinery of political violence in Muzarabani, gave a heart rending narration of her torrid time at the hands of the terror gang. The Zanu PF youth assaulted her then destroyed her home to the ground, burning everything else to ashes. Among the multitude of perpetrators was Gift Mushore, Chamunorwa Chizengeya and Chimusingo. Loraine now leads a paupers life and no one is willing to help her. Relatives have been advised by Zanu PF youths to desist from rendering her any form of assistance because she is MDC.

Nicholas Goche is the Member of the House of Assembly for Shamva North Constituency. He is currently the Minister of Transport and Communication in the inclusive government. In the run up to the Presidential run off elections, Nicholas Goche wreaked havoc with his terror campaign in the whole of Shamva District. Goche’s legend of brutality stretches as far back as the 2000 elections when scores of people where butchered in and around the Shamva Gold mine areas. In what Goche and his band of psychopaths called re-education all night (pungwe) sessions.

Soon after the 2005 general elections Goche was appointed the Minister of State Security thus placing the control of the CIO directly under his administration. It appears his bond with the dreaded spy agency has not been severed since. In 2008 towards the June run off elections Goche, as the serving minister of Labour and Social Welfare, issued an order barring all humanitarian organizations from distributing food aid in all the country’s districts. Observers noted that his action had been prompted by the fact that the MDC was gaining inroads in the previously Zanu PF dominated areas and he thought that NGOs were taking advantage of food shortages and campaigning for the MDC.

This infamous decree resulted in many people starving and there was much confusion in the local and international NGO and civic society circles and any amount of lobbying efforts were in vain. His blood stained campaign trail in the 2008 June elections was marked by terrible reports of the victims experiences at the hands of Goche himself, or his militia, assisted by his faithful CIO agents. Some of the reported heart rending events are chronicled below.

11 May 2008

In a small village in the resettlement areas of Shamva a gang of youth militia, who had been brought into the area by Nicholas Goche, descended on Elias Kahari Madzivanzira’s homestead. They accused the family of being MDC supporters and they started randomly beating up everyone in sight and destroying whatever they could lay their hands on.  Elias was struck on the head with an axe, his wife Erica was butchered in the same manner but fortunately the wife survived. But Elias was not so lucky. His head was reported to have split into two and he died on the spot. Witnesses noted that the people who murdered Elias were from the local resettlement areas and had been seen in the company of Nicholas Goche during the day, drinking beer and singing praises for Mugabe and Goche.

16 May 2008

Goche addressed a campaign meeting at Chidembo School in the morning of May16, 2008. He instructed all youths in the area to guard their land jealously against what he called the whites re-invasion. They then were supposed to wipe out all MDC supporters . He specifically mentioned  Edson Zaya as a known sell out in the area and consequently Edson Zaya was captured  by Zanu pf youths and war vets, on May 16 at Chidembo Shopping centre in Shamva. He was heavily assaulted for more than an hour and was badly injured and died shortly after the assault on the same day.

27 May 2008

Kidwell Zvavamwe was dragged from his bed during the night of 27 May 2008. Reports note that the same group of Zanu PF youths which was roaming and accompanying Goche in his rounds in the constituency, captured and assaulted Kidwell. Kidwell died a week later from the injuries he had sustained during the brutal attack. His wife Lucia Mukaru said that the youths barred Kidwell from seeking medical help.

11 May 2008

The Zanu youths from Goche’s campaign team dragged Roy Barwa from his hut with a wire tied around his neck like a leash and his face covered with a red cloth, which they said represented death. They destroyed his homestead  burning all what was inside the huts. His entire family was assaulted including the children and the mother, who left the home and started living in the bush.

14 May 2008

On the night of May 14 2008 a gang of Zanu PF youths, accompanied by armed people in civilian clothes, abducted Florence Muponya from her home  and beat up her husband who sustained injuries on hands, eyes and his back. They burnt all the huts, kraals and a car.  This incident was reported to the police but Goche ordered the police to arrest Muponya and her family instead and they faced political violence charges before the court in Bindura. The charges were subsequently thrown out and the victims discharged.

10 May 2008

On May 10, 2008 Elton Mutero was abducted by Moses Tore and other Zanu PF youths who were being driven in a truck belonging to MP Goche. They threw him in a pick up truck and severely beat him before taking him to Shamva Police Station. He was detained at the police station and was interrogated by Goche’s campaign manager whilst in the police station.

14 May 2008

Brian Mupeme, Gorezvarimwa Chiyanike and his crew got Washington Muza arrested, accusing him of burning homes belonging to Zanu-PF people. He was assaulted by the police who forced him to agree on the charges of the case he was being accused of and that he was the local chairman of the MDC. About 19 other MDC supporters were arrested and assaulted with baton sticks.

21 June 2008

Innocent Kadzire and other MDC supporters were accused of supporting the MDC. They were assaulted by the Goche linked gang of militia and they were later hauled to Madziwa police station where the militia lied that the MDC supporters were causing political violence. They were further assaulted by the police and released.

Olivia Muchena

Olivia  Nyembesi Muchena is the Zanu PF MP for Mutoko South Constituency and she is the current Women’s Affairs and Gender Development Minister.

Olivia Muchena, who is a lay preacher in the United Methodist Church, is reliably reported to have suspended all her church activities in 2008 to concentrate on the Zanu PF campaign  for the presidential run off elections. Despite her advanced age (63 years) and religious prominence she amazed many of her victims and supporters included, with the terrible vigour and brutality she manifested in executing her missions in the terror campaign against MDC supporters in the whole of Mutoko district. She worked in cahoots with the notorious killer gangs of Bramwell Katsvairo and others.

Locals noted of frequent nocturnal meetings of these teams at Mutoko centre reportedly held at Olivia Muchena’s house. She never fails to declare her profound support and utmost admiration of the Zanu PF leader Robert Mugabe’s stance against whites whenever she gets the chance to address any gathering, irrespective of whether its a funeral or political rally.

Some of the recorded incidents of political violence directly linked to Olivia Nyembesi Muchena are listed below. Olivia’s reported trail of systematic violations date as far back as 2000 and she has consistently maintained her bloody campaigns throughout subsequent elections.

April 1, 2008 

On 1 April 2008 Olivia Muchena sent one of the leaders of her campaign team, known as Richard Makoni, to accompany Bramwell Katsvairo on a mission to eliminate some targets in the districts. Makoni’s task was to identify the wanted MDC activists for Katsvairo. In the afternoon of that fateful Tuesday the killer squad caught up with Tatenda Chibika at Chibeta Business Centre, who was positively identified by Makoni. Tatenda was shot at close range by Katsvairo and died on the spot. Olivia Muchena is said to have issued an order that Tatenda be buried immediately and that there was no need for a postmortem.

April 14, 2008

Olivia Muchena instructed her gang of Zanu PF youths to go and force a known MDC district official Tendai Mafuta to attend a rally she was addressing at Chidye Centre. Tendai set off for the rally in the company of three other MDC supporters, including his sister. Little did they know that Bramwell Katsvairo was waylaying them along the road to the rally, ostensibly at the behest of Olivia Muchena. They never got to the Centre as Katsvairo approached them from nowhere and shot Tendai twice in the stomach. He dropped to the ground instantly. The other three people in his company report that they were so terrified that it took them some time to come to terms with what had happened. Though they tried to help Tendai it was too late. Tendai Chibika was dead.

April 14,  2008

A gang of Zanu PF militia led by Kwirira, a war veteran, abducted Masukuta Makuyana from Dumaira Centre in Mutoko South accusing him of campaigning for the MDC. They bundled him into Olivia Muchena’s pick up truck and assaulted him to death not far away from Dumaira Bussiness centre. Makuyana was buried near Ushamba School with just his relatives in attendance.

April 16, 2008

Order Nyakudanga and Chatambudza Makoni, all high ranking Zanu PF district officials, called for an all must attend rally at Rukawo Business centre where several MDC supporters were flushed out of the crowd and subjected to brutal and thorough beatings. Givemore Masarirevhu, one of the MDC activists in the area who was unfortunate enough to have been identified at the rally, went through a torrid time as the Zanu PF senior officials worked him over, displaying their war time torture skills before a terrified and spell bound crowd. Givemore and quite a number of other MDC supporters had been bashed and reduced to a sprawled mass of humanity when Olivia Muchena arrived at the meeting around 1600 hrs. Nyakudanga gave an account of what had transpired at the meeting and how the traitors had been adequately punished, but Olivia Muchena told the victims that they had not been beaten enough and she invited the youths in her entourage and a bunch of other blood thirsty hounds  to subject Givemore and his comrades to yet another severe round of assault that lasted quite a long time. Eyewitnesses say they saw one of the victims die and was taken away in one of the trucks in Muchena’s convoy.

May 1, 2008

Olivia Muchena, leading a group of Zanu PF youths, descended on Revai Kativhu’s homestead in the afternoon of 1 May 2008 and destroyed it to the ground. They assaulted Kativhu and left her for dead and they took away two goats for food at their base.

May 5, 2008

A group of Zanu PF youths who had been seen in the afternoon of that day driving around Hoyuyu resettlement areas in the company of the Zanu PF MP Olivia Muchena, raided and abducted Siraju Musa in the evening. The group assaulted Musa in the bush close to his homestead and he died during the assault. This militia gang linked to Olivia Muchena included; Washington Tikude, Enerst Masenda, Dickson Chibika, Tauya Mukanga, Samuel Kambanje and others. Witnesses reported that the group drove away in Olivia Muchena’s truck soon after the murder.

May 31, 2008

During the night of Saturday 31 May 2008 Nancy Chidzidzi and Taurai Chihuri (a Headman) were shot to death at their homes by people who were reported to be CIO agents. The dead were described as Zanu PF local officials who had fallen out with Olivia Muchena and had defied her order to identify local MDC supporters who were supposed to be eliminated. Olivia Muchena is reported to have arrived at the scene of the murder the same night and ordered a quick burial of the two without any postmortem, her reason being that the party was to continue with the presidential campaign without delay. Relatives of the deceased defied Muchena. They took the dead to the district hospital for a postmortem and have long held strong suspicions that Muchena’s unusual behavior betrayed her involvement in the murder of their relatives.

Paddy Zhanda

Paddy Zhanda has always been involved in political violence since 1999, but has proved to be shrewd enough to cover his tracks after the act and has cunningly operated behind the scenes. He has provided funding to those people leading the perpetration of violence in his constituency, thus working with the devil under the cover of darkness and presenting himself as holier than thou to the world during the day. The teams of militia in the Goromonzi North appeared well resourced compared to other areas as they usually availed themselves for use by other neighboring constituencies. Reports from victims of political violence note that Paddy Zhanda unleashed groups of youths to terrorise known MDC supporters in Goromonzi North. These militia gangs are reportedly recruited from Zhanda’s farm workers but it’s not clear whether these workers willingly offer their services or are coerced into joining other Zanu PF youths in forming the terror gangs.

In February 2000 the then MDC candidate for the Bindura constituency, Elliot Pfebve, organized to hold a campaign rally at Musiiwa business centre in Mashonaland Central. A group of MDC youths who had camped at the venue of the rally to put up posters and other campaign materials were rounded up by a group of 150 violent Zanu PF supporters who heavily assaulted them. The six MDC youths sustained serious injuries.These Zanu PF supporters were identified by locals as workers from Paddy Zhanda’s farms. They were armed with axes, iron bars and various other weapons and one of them was holding a rifle. When Pfebve arrived at the venue he was confronted by this group of militia baying for his blood and he noted that they were using a lorry and a small truck provided by Paddy Zhanda. Fortunately for Elliot the police from Shamva swiftly responded to his call for assistance and the two vehicles were escorted to Shamva Police station where a subsequent police investigation screened twelve ring leaders of the group who were immediately detained. In the afternoon of that same day Border Gezi (now deceased) and Paddy Zhanda descended on the police station and ordered the unfortunate officer in charge to release the Zanu PF militia leaders without charge.

It appears that in 2008 during the Zanu PF bloody campaign for Robert Mugabe, reported events in Goromonzi North signified a drastic transformation in Zhanda’s political violence modus operandi. He moved around the constituency  in the company of an armed gang led by Comrade Pasi who owns Masara Farm in Shamva and was reported present when several victims were assaulted. Ironically most of the MDC local officials who were abducted and assaulted in the presence of Zhanda were all small business people. Whether this was mere coincidence or a deliberate ambition to personally settle scores with business rivals nobody knows. Reports from the constituency note that the armed thugs led by Comrade Pasi, with their blue Mitsubishi truck and another white Isuzu twin cab truck (provided by Paddy Zhanda and driven by Artwell Zhanda) formed part of the contingent that abducted Shepherd Jani, a Murehwa businessman in 2008.  Shepherd Jani’s mutilated body was later discovered in Zhanda’s constituency. One frightening observation is that most of the remains of MDC officials who were abducted and murdered were all dumped in the Goromonzi area.  Paddy Zhanda owns several retail outlets in the constituency. What really distinguished the pattern of violence in Zhanda’s area from others was that though so many people were tortured and butchered no homesteads nor properties were destroyed. The burning and looting that was the order of the day in other constituencies was not universally reported from Goromonzi north. Following are some of the details of horrible incidents in which Paddy Zhanda and his gang of murderers were involved.

June 18, 2008

Kingsley T Jaure, who owns a general dealers shop at Bosha business Centre, was abducted from Bosha Secondary School by armed militia and taken to the Business Centre where there was a Zanu PF gathering. Jaure recognized some of his abductors as war veterans from Mwanza, an area south of the constituency. They were driving in a white truck without registration plates. On arrival at the Zanu PF meeting Jaure, now a prisoner, was presented before Paddy Zhanda who was addressing the Zanu PF supporters.  Zhanda asked him why he was supporting the MDC and why he wanted to sell the land to the whites. The MP Zhanda then instructed his gang to assault Jaure. They attacked him with sticks, fists and booted feet. Jaure sustained serious injuries at the meeting and was taken to the militia base at the same centre for further torment. At the base he reports that they used hot wire to torture him on his private parts and buttocks.  Though Kingsley was released the same day he was so badly damaged that he could neither talk nor walk. This brutal assault rendered Jaure an invalid for the whole month and he could not access medication because Zhanda’s militia set up roadblocks on all roads leading into the area. No one was allowed to leave the area for medical treatment. There was no entry for those coming from outside as well and chances of ever rescuing the injured where non existent.

June 14, 2008

On 14 June 2008 Paddy Zhanda dispatched a group of armed rowdy Zanu PF militia, led by Ranganai Bepete, Artwell Zhanda and Pasi, to abduct Claudious Munemo and shut down his store near St Francis School in the Chikwaka area. The gang was travelling in a blue Mitsubishi truck without registration plates. The militia looted goods from the store saying this was all MDC money. Munemo was then hauled to a Zanu PF meeting at Bosha Business Centre and his abductors informed him that they wanted to set an example for the people. At the meeting Claudious Munemo was extremely humiliated when they bared his buttocks and heavily assaulted him. Mrs Mudhara, a Zanu PF district official who had come from Rusike in the same district, was given the honor to beat Munemo first before the other thugs took turns to kick and bash him. Paddy Zhanda instructed the militia that they must make sure that Munemo would not be allowed to leave the area. Pasi, who owns Masara Farm in Shamva, was the commander of the four men armed gang that moved around in the blue Mitsubishi truck. After the assault at the meeting Munemo was taken to a Zanu PF militia base at Bosha School for further beatings and torture. Though he was released the same day the youths visited him at his home a further five times on different days, heavily assaulting him each time and his wounds were never given the chance  to heal. Finally one night Pasi and his gang of armed men took Munemo away from his home. They told him that he had refused to leave the MDC after all the beatings and they were therefore going to end it all. They bundled him into their truck and drove off towards the cattle dip tank in the area. On the way Munemo reports that Paddy Zhanda phoned Pasi ordering him to leave whatever he was doing and report to base as soon as possible for there was an urgent mission to be attended to. That is when Munemo was thrown out of the truck and it sped off into the night. Munemo reported that some of the utensils looted from his shop were used at Zhanda’s farm to prepare food for delegates to a Zanu PF meeting and these drums and pots are still there.