Links ~ 25 May 2008
Senatorial Candidate for Murehwa North Killed (The Zimbabwean)
Sheperd Jani, MDC candidate for Ward 10 in the Murehwa North has been killed. His body was found in the area of the Goromonzi Mountains. 4 men driving a blue twin-cab, registration number AAA 9248 kidnapped Jani, in full view of some of his MDC colleagues. His colleagues tried to save him but the men pulled out guns and threatened to shoot them. The bodies of Cain Nyeve, Godfrey Kauzani, and Tonderai Ndira have been discovered in the same area. Goromonzi district has become a death chamber as Zanu-PF unleashed its campaign of terror.
Mashonaland East Province – More bodies have been found in Uzumba, Mashonaland East Province. Three unidentified bodies, two men and one woman, were found on May 23. The police of Mutawatawa have confirmed the deaths.
Mt Darwin East – Abbia Nyakudya Chaparira, an MDC supporter was murdered on May 10 by Zanu-PF militia. He was buried yesterday.
As Zimbabwe opposition mourns, Mugabe fights for survival (africasia.com)
Whilst Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC was attending the funeral of Tonderai Ndira, MDC activist, Mugabe was fighting for political survival as he kicked of his campaign for the run-off for the presidential poll. Tsvangirai in an emotional speech promised that Ndira’s memory would not be betrayed. He said that the murder “was clear testimony of the callousness of the regime†and that the regime would go to any lengths to remain in power. mourners. “They can kill us, they can maim us, but on June 27 we are going to vote this man out. We will not betray the life of Tonderai.”
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa (Zanu-PF) admitted to the state-sponsored newspaper, Sunday Mail “We are now fighting with our backs to the wall.”
Preaching Peace during the Day & Abducting, Murdering at Night (zimbabwemetro.com)
The Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) has urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zanu-PF, and the MDC to honour the Multi-Party Peace Liaison proposal, which was negotiated by them. CCDZ said that the committee could end the escalating violence if properly implemented. The CCDZ wants the assurance that MDC supporters and human rights activists will no longer be abducted and murdered. They demand that the infrastructure of violence is dismantled, that the war veterans and youth militia disband and that all human rights abuses be thoroughly investigated. The CCDZ welcomes the Multi-Party Liaison Peace Committees and urge that practical steps are taken to restore the people’s confidence in the whole electoral process.
ZESN continues to receive distressing reports on Observers attacks (download alert .doc)
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) continues to receive reports of ZESN observers who have been attacked. On May 21, three ZESN observers had been severely tortured by Zanu-PF militia in Mutyandaedza village, Mt Darwin East. The victims, two men and one elderly woman, were taken to the Mt Darwin District Hospital where they were refused treatment of any kind. The victims suffered fractured arms, fractured fingers, deep cuts, and bruises from the beatings. In another case, on May 20, displaced ZESN observers who took refuge in a safe house in Harare were accosted by the police and dumped at the Mbare bus terminus after the police raided the house. ZESN appeals to the police, political parties, and traditional leaders to educate and tell their structures to stop political violence.
Sky News reporters arrested (Sunday News -SA)
Three South African nationals were arrested by the police at Esigodini, Matabele South Province. It is believed that the 3 South Africans work for the United Kingdom television station Sky News. The police confiscated broadcasting equipment, which include satellite dishes, state of the art cell phones, cameras, a first aid kit, and a kombi. A Sky news black box, which was labelled, indicated that the reporters might be working for Sky News. The South Africans have been charged under some sections of the Access to information and Protection of Privacy Act. Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka has confirmed the arrests and said that investigations are underway.
ZEC steps up preps for run-off (Sunday News – SA)
Utloile Silaigwane deputy elections officer of the ZEC said that workshops and meetings had been held to conscientise PEO’s on the electoral process as to smooth the way for the run-off for the presidential poll. He said that the ZEC would be able to run the election smoothly. A budget had been sent to the Treasury Fund and the ZEC was hopeful that it would receive adequate funding. The ZEC has enough ballot boxes and booths. Silaigwane would not disclose how much is needed to administer the election. He said that logistics for the sitting of the nomination court was in place and that it was expected to sit on Friday. The nomination court will receive nominations for the Mpopoma / Pelandaba, Redcliff and Gwanda South seats following the death of MDC candidates for those three seats. Multi-party liaison committees will have extensive meetings to ensure the election will not be disputed. A media committee will monitor the conduct of the Press and it will present a report on how the media covered the previous election.
Mugabe changes tactics ahead of run-off election (Reuters)
Mugabe has changed his campaign strategy ahead of the presidential run-off on June 27. According to a senior official, it seems that he has opted for voter canvassing and small village meetings. During previous campaigns, Mugabe has relied on mass rallies, a strategy which has backfired when MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the March 29 elections. The MDC draws much of its support from the capital Harare and other cities. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said that the new campaign style would pave the way towards Mugabe’s re-election.
Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) has also expressed confidence ahead of the run-off. He said that MDC wants a “complete demilitarisation of the situation’ as dozens of MDC supporters have been beaten and killed by the violence orchestrated by Zanu-PF.
Mugabe warns US envoy (news24.com)
Robert Mugabe has threatened to expel James McGee US Ambassador to Zimbabwe and accused McGee of political interference.
“I am just waiting to see if he makes one more step wrong. He will get out,” Mugabe said in a campaign rally.
“As tall as he is, if he continues to do that I will kick him out of the country.”
Mugabe urges his party to unite in “war against foreigners” (monstersandcritics.com)
Mugabe urged his Zanu-PF party to unite behind him in the ‘war against foreigners’ namely the United States and Britain. He said that it was a war to defend their sovereignty and that any differences within Zanu-PF should remain buried until the war against foreigners is over.
Bemba arrested for war crimes (news24.com)
Jean-Pierre Bemba the former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been arrested in Brussels on a war crimes warrant from the International Criminal Court. The investigation is on going and it is expected that it will not be the only warrant in this case. Bemba was one of four vice-presidents in a transitional government in the DRCongo in the period 2003 to 2006. He led the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) rebel group, which at a later stage converted to a political party. Bemba was asked to help put down a coup attempt in the Central African Republic. The MLC under Bemba’s command had carried out widespread attacks against civilians of CAR; the offences included rape, torture, outrages upon personal dignity and pillaging.
