Two reports of state-sponsored violence

Via a ZCTU Press Release:

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has learnt with dismay the harassment of labour leaders during the Presidential Run Off by ruling party militia, supporters and State security agents. The current information we have is:

1. The ZCTU district chairperson for Chivhu, Tinashe Murau, was seriously beaten up by Zanu PF militia just before the 27 June Presidential Runoff and has had his hand broken and is currently seeking medical attention. He was beaten after the militia questioned why he wears ZCTU t-shirts and attends ZCTU meetings.

2. Forty-six (46) members of the General Agriculture Plantation Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ), an affiliate of the ZCTU, have sought shelter in Harare after being harassed and beaten up by youth militia. The members include men, women and children. The ZCTU and GAPWUZ are currently providing them with food. Indications are that more farm workers will be displaced.

3. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), also an affiliate of the ZCTU, has closed its office after its officials have been harassed by unknown people since the start of the Presidential Run Off. Two cars (registration Numbers ABD8989 and AAC5574) visited PTUZ general secretary, Raymond Majongwe, but fortunately he was not at his home. At the same time, other cars with unknown people visited the PTUZ treasurer’s wife claiming that they wanted to take her for ‘a funeral’.

4. A ZCTU councilor, Rebecca Butau, based in Chegutu was also seriously beaten and had to seek medical attention. Those who beat her-up said they were looking for David Zunde, another union official from the food industry. Currently Zunde is on the run.

The ZCTU expects and influx of its members as they face retribution from ruling party militia and youths. We deplore in the strongest terms what appears to be the targeting of ZCTU officials and union members.

As per General Council Communiqué of 21 June 2008 which among other things, called on the government to stop violence against innocent citizens, and noting that none of the ZCTU demands were met, the ZCTU declares that the elections were neither free no fair.

Via an MDC press release:

The MDC and family members of MDC driver, Joshua Bakacheza are making frantic efforts to locate his whereabouts a week after he was abducted in Harare by 16 armed men in three trucks.

Bakacheza is part of the over 5 000 MDC supporters countrywide whose whereabouts remain unknown after they were abducted by Zanu PF militia and spy agents driving unmarked vehicles.

Bakacheza was abducted on Wednesday in Msasa, Harare, together with another MDC activist, Tendai Chidziwo.

Chidziwo is now recovering in hospital after he was shot once on right side of the head. Good Samaritans assisted him after they found him in a state of unconsciousness in the Beatrice farming area.

He is battling for his life in an intensive care unit.

However, the whereabouts of Bakacheza are still unknown. The MDC and the Bakacheza family search team has visited most hospitals, mortuaries and police stations in search of Joshua but to avail.

The two were abducted when they were moving the property of slain MDC National Youth Assembly secretary for security, Tonderai Ndira.

State security agents murdered Ndira after they kidnapped at his home in Mabvuku, Harare on 21 May 2008.

Zanu PF militia and men in army uniform have murdered 90 MDC activists and supporters since the announcement of the 29 March elections, in which Zanu PF was defeated.

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