Links ~ 16 June 2008

Mugabe threatens to arrest opposition leaders over violence (AFP)
Robert Mugabe has threatened to arrest the MDC leadership over an increase in violence ahead of the June 27 presidential run-off election. Mugabe was speaking at a rally at Kadoma, south of Harare.

“Sooner rather than later we are going to accuse the MDC and the party leadership of being liable and responsible for those crimes of violence,” Mugabe said. “We are telling them we will arrest you in broad daylight.” Mugabe said that there was a pattern of violence throughout the country that must be stopped.

Mugabe warns he will not cede power in Zimbabwe (AP)
Robert Mugabe has warned that he would not cede power to the MDC who he says is backed by the West. Mugabe was speaking in the central Silobela district on Sunday, when he said “We shed a lot of blood for this country. We are not going to give up our country for a mere X on a ballot. How can a ball point pen fight with a gun?”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned that international election observers are needed to observe the June 27 presidential run-off elections. Brown said that there was a risk that the “criminal regime” will steal the election. President George Bush of the United States of America said that the USA would work with Britain, and others, to ensure that the run-off election is conducted to international standards.

MDC secretary general Tendai Biti has spent the weekend in the filthy and harsh conditions of the Matapi prison in Mbare. Biti was denied a blanket despite the freezing nighttime temperatures during winter. Family members were only later allowed to provide Biti with a blanket, fresh clothing, and food. Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC have been detained at least six times since he has started his campaign. Robert Mugabe of Zanu-PF has however campaigned freely and has the backing of the state-sponsored media.

Zim cops search Biti’s home (AFP)
The Zimbabwean police have searched the home and the computer of the MDC secretary general Tendai Biti, on Monday. Biti’s lawyer, Lewis Uriri said, “Police searched his home and they spent the last three hours going through his laptop.” Uriri who was present during the searches said, “It is highly unlikely they will bring him to court today (Monday).” The police did not remove anything from Biti’s home and had left the computer. It is possible that the police would ask the court to allow them to detain Biti for a longer period. Biti has not been charged yet. The Zimbabwean government has alleged that Biti has authored a document, which allegedly details a plot to rig the election. Biti is also accused of “communicating and publishing false information prejudicial to the state,” on the basis that he had proclaimed victory for the MDC before the official results of the March 29 polls were released.

Zimbabwe opposition leader to be charged on Tuesday (CNN)
The MDC secretary general Tendai Biti will be formally charged with treason and other offences on Tuesday after “paperwork” delayed his appearance in court on Monday. Attorney Christopher Mhike said that according to law Biti was required to be charged on Monday and although they have accepted this, his legal team is not happy with it. Biti is being held at the Matapi Police Station in the suburb of Mubare in Harare. Robert Mugabe now openly says that Zanu-PF will not accept a MDC victory. “We shall never, never accept anything that smells of … the MDC,” Mugabe said Saturday. “These pathetic puppets taking over this country? Let’s see. That is not going to happen.”

Violence erupts in Mbare after observers visit Biti at Matapi police cells (SWRadio)
Zanu-PF youths went on the rampage in anger over the visit of a group on SADC observers to Tendai Biti secretary general of the MDC who is being detained in Matapi prison in the suburb of Mbare in Harare. The observers were on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the living conditions in which Biti was being held. The observers were denied permission to see Biti. After the observers left the police station, hoards of Zanu-PF youths started to attack residents living near the Mbare police station.

Dabengwa Backs unity government proposal and Tsvangirai (SWRadio)
Former Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa has allegedly spoken in favour of the possibility that Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC should be president of Zimbabwe. Dabengwa was a supporter of Simba Makoni in March 29 elections. Dabengwa has suggested that should the idea of a government of national unity fail, people then should vote for Tsvangirai. Should Dabengwa give his support to Tsvangirai it would mean that much of the 8% vote, which went to Makoni, could now swing in Tsvangirai’s favour.

Rape and torture in Zimbabwe raise concern among rights groups (Afric.com)
Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) has called for the immediate disbanding of militia groups called “Chipangano” to curb further violence ahead of the June 27 presidential run-off. SOAWR said that the militia consisted of youths, security agents, and a gang called “Chipangano” which has “caused terror and havoc in the rural and urban areas exacerbating the humanitarian situation by creating internal refugees.” “We demand the disbanding of torture bases where gross abuses of women are taking place including forced labour and sexual abuse.” SOAWR also suggests that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations must ensure that Zanu-PF stop using violence and that they “foster a violence-free election.” SOAWR called for the immediate resumption of relief assistance to Zimbabweans.

Brutal attacks around Masvingo (The Zimbabwean)
Nigel Macphail, manager of Bikita Minerals and his girlfriend Susara van Greunen have been severely assaulted by some 60 Zanu-PF militias, at the mine offices on June 12. Macphail and van Greunen are MDC supporters. On June 11, van Greunen had taken injured workers to the Masvingo Hospital after Zanu-PF militia beat them up. It would seem that this action might be one of the reasons for the attack on Macphail and van Greunen. Mutari Holiday Resort has been partly burned down and its owner MDC MP elect Mr Mililo has had to flee the country after receiving death threats from the militia. The Maranda communal area in the Mwenezi West district was the scene for the murder of two people who were bludgeoned to death by the militia. On June 13, Chris Muzenda’s house was set on fire.

More political violence in the Lowveld (The Zimbabwean)
Zanu-PF youths attacked residents of Chiredzi, 200 km south of Masvingo, on Friday and Saturday. The youths assaulted and robbed residents. Amongst those assaulted are 3 police officers that have been severely beaten. The Chiredzi police admitted that they were unable to control the situation. The leader of this particular group of youths is Ronald Ndava, the Zanu-PF winning candidate for Chiredzi North. Ndava’s wife is a magistrate in Chiredzi. The militias are still in the area and were seen in the Tshovani Township in Chiredzi.

Youth Forum Gender and Human Rights Programmes Officer abducted (The Zimbabwean)
Suspected Zanu-PF militia masquerading as state agents has abducted Glanis Changachirere Youth Forum gender and human rights programmes officer. Three other students have also been abducted, Tarlington Kwashira, Moses Chamisa and Clemence Sainetti.

Kofi Annan urges the AU to step up efforts to end Zimbabwean crisis (SWRadio)
Kofi Annan, a former United Nations Secretary General, has called on the African Union to increase its efforts to resolve the political, humanitarian and economic crises in Zimbabwe. Annan has strongly condemned the suspension of the operations of aid agencies working in the country and said that it was vitally important for the Zimbabwean government “not to stand in the way of aid getting to the people.” Annan said that it was vital for the future of Zimbabwe that the people came together and reconcile under a new leader.

ZANU-PF victimising police officers who voted for Tsvangirai (SWRadio)
Police officers who had voted for the MDC by means of postal ballot are being victimised by state agents. Zanu-PF has forced police officers and soldiers to cast early ballots, under the supervision of a superior officer. They were warned that they would be fired if they did not vote for Robert Mugabe. Some police officers defied the direct order and voted for Morgan Tsvangirai leader of the MDC. Many of these officers had immediately fled their home areas, yet some have allegedly been detained, and others are missing.

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