Reports of murders in Mazoe and / or Shamva
May 7th, 2008
Last night we received unconfirmed reports that eight people were executed in Shamva. Their bodies are in the morgue, but their names are still unknown.
A little after this report came in we heard that ten people were killed in Mazoe, not Shamva. There is some confusion about whether eighteen people have been killed, or whether it is ten. Some of the confusion may stem from the fact that Mazoe is on the road to Shamva.
SW Radio Africa published this report earlier in the day on their website:
In the last 48 hours it has been confirmed that 6 people were beaten to death in the Shamva area and 10 others have been killed in Centenary.
Many others are badly injured, houses have been burned and at least 100 more people are homeless and without food.
Wards at the Avenues clinic in Harare are reported to be over flowing, with some patients forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Horrific injuries are being reported including severe burns and many broken limbs.
Eye witness reports say that this violence was again perpetrated by armed soldiers, militia and gangs of Zanu PF youths. The attackers are saying; ‘We are here to teach you how to vote.’
Eddie Cross, the policy co-ordinator for the MDC , said at this point the MDC cannot consider amnesty for perpetrators of such unacceptable violence and the party is documenting all cases with a view to prosecuting the perpetrators, in their individual capacity.
We can confirm that military tank was spotted in Mazoe.
We are trying to work through the confusion and will give you an update when we know more.
May 7th, 2008 12:00
A question for Eddy Cross……Can Zimbabwe atrocities be tried in the Hague or do they not apply because Zim is not a signatory
May 7th, 2008 14:01
Hi Sokwanele
On paper these atrocities could be trialed in The Hague. This can happen as we see in Darfur where the Security Council referred a particular situation to the International Criminal Court for investigation with a view to prosecution. Sudan was not a member state when the ICC began its investigation. This is also a possibility for Zimbabwe. Also these acts which are systematic and widespread at the moment could when taken together seem to fit the definition of a crime against humanity. This is one of the crimes the ICC has a duty to prosecute. I am not Eddy Cross but I think it is a possibility.
I was also writing because I was wondering if anyone had see this article which I received in my mail box: http://www.afrika.no/Detailed/16642.html
Zimbabwe: Voting Tsvangirai will lead to civil war – Police Chief
Mutare (Zimbabwe) – Voting for Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition MDC in the presidential run–off election expected in three weeks’ time, is tantamount to plunging the country into a civil war, a high ranking police officer has warned.
By Association of Zimbabwe Journalists (UK/Zimbabwe), by David Baxter | 05.07.2008
The warning was issued by Senior Assistant Commissioner Mabunda during a meeting with police officers here on Tuesday, stunned police sources told zimbabwejournalists.com. Mabunda is a top lieutenant and confidante to Augustine Chihuri, the police chief who in the past has issued threats that he will not salute Tsvangirai or anyone without proper liberation war credentials. Mabunda is on a countrywide tour – meeting officers of all ranks and warning them of the dangers of voting for Tsvangirai in the expected run-off election.
He vowed during the meeting with the police officers here drawn from all the province’s eight districts that President Robert Mugabe will never be ousted by Tsvangirai.
Should that happen, Mabunda reportedly said a civil war will immediately break out. Most junior officers within the army and the police force are believed to have deserted Mugabe in the ballot box and the warnings by Mabunda are meant to scare them into doing the ruling party’s bidding, especially now as thousands are being left homeless in a brutal campaign in the rural communities that supported the opposition in the March 29 elections.
The meeting was held at the police Main Camp on the edge of the city’s central business district. Officers who attended the meeting said the atmosphere in the meeting was tense. “We were told in no uncertain terms that voting for Tsvangirai is just like voting for war,†said one officer, a constable based at Mutare Central police station. The ruling party got fewer votes than the opposition at polling stations in the March 29 election and some of those booths recording high votes for the MDC are said to have been within police camps.
“Mabunda told us that anyone who will dare continue supporting or sympathizing with the MDC will be in serious problems,” said another officer. The warning by the top police officer coincides with reports of escalating violence targeted at MDC supporters in both the urban and rural areas. The violence is widely blamed on state security agents, war veterans and Zanu PF militants. Thousands of opposition supporters have been displaced while about 200 have been badly assaulted.
Last Saturday the MDC provincial youth leader for Manicaland, Knowledge Nyamhoka, was abducted by yet unknown people at midnight from his Sakubva home and taken to a secluded area where he was badly beaten and left for dead. The MDC says Nyamhoka was abducted by security agents. He was rescued by passersby who found him lying unconscious who took him to a private hospital, the Seventh Avenue Surgical Unit, where he is recuperating.
Two other youth activists from Nyanga were also rushed to the same hospital after meeting the same fate as their leader. The MDC chairman in Manicaland, Patrick Chitaka, said the situation within most opposition strongholds was fast degenerating and urgent measures should be put in place to avert genocide from occurring in Zimbabwe.
Source: http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/
May 7th, 2008 15:14
I am absolutely upset by what I have personally seen at the Avenues Clinic. On Sunday 4th I was at the Avenues visiting a relative in the High Care Ward and there lay a man so badly beaten on his head I thought he had been in a car crash. I have never in my life seen such a mess of a person so badly beaten. It is horrific and so real when you see it in real life. How can we continue to do this to one another it is evil and disgusting. My heart and prayers go out to all the people who have been beaten and have lost everything. I hope and pray that on day these evil people reap what they have sown.
May 7th, 2008 15:22
Sokwanele
http://en.afrik.com/article13505.html
Zimbabwe : Zanu-PF issues licence to kill
“proof collected by our reporter”
‘A group of Zanu-PF youth militants, one of whom was dressed in Zimbabwean army uniform and armed with an AK47 assault rifle, launched an attack on a village in the Mufusire area near Headlands in Manicaland Province.
They attacked and severely injured Tafirenyika Gumare, the head of a family. His wife, Akulania Gumare, and son, Jacob Gumare were also assaulted and sustained injuries during the attack.
On witnessing the vicious assault neighbours responded and overpowered the attackers who fled and left the rifle behind. The villagers notified the police who arrived on the scene and took possession of the weapon, witnesses said.
The weapon was issued by the Zimbabwe National Army and has the following registration numbers: T144 (in red) ZA-40874 84M1503
Numerous other incidents of violence are reported to have taken place in this area which is in the constituency of Zanu-PF’secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, who is the Minister of State Security.
Headlands is approximately 140 kms east of Harare in the heart of a once thriving maize and tobacco-growing commercial farming area.’ etc.
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May 7th, 2008 19:59
NANA….Have posted your link to SWafricaradio. They are running the story now..
May 7th, 2008 20:21
4th Chimurenga imminent..
With arms being ordered from China, Mbeki supporting the slaughtering of ordering Zimbabweans and the continous intimidation of the opposition, i have every reason to believe that we are heading for a 4th Chimurenga. Brace yourselves for a civil war. Already there are escalating evidences of genocide. Mugabe is fighting unarmed civilians? Is he normal?
May 7th, 2008 20:25
I have filed a claim under article 15 of the ICC charter.
lets keep sending this guy lots of links and evidence
Dave
May 7th, 2008 20:27
E-mail and phone links attached
Dave
Communications and claims under art.15 of the Rome Statute may be addressed to:
Information and Evidence Unit
Office of the Prosecutor
Post Office Box 19519
2500 CM The Hague
The Netherlands
or sent by email to otp.informationdesk@icc-cpi.int ,
or sent by facsimile to +31 70 515 8555.
May 7th, 2008 21:15
Well, all I can say is tens of murdered or injured adds up to hundreds and then thousands. This is an utter disgrace that even one has to be injured or die for a man that needs to be physically removed, it seems. Please let the Hague know about this and please send a letter to Mr Mandela and ask him if this must get to the worst scenario first before help arrives.Zim people have suffered for so long, why do they have to keep on suffering ? I really pray that this is not going to be the beginning of another war.
May 7th, 2008 22:20
Not the whole report, but extracts. Note the remark of the Police Commissioner General.
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,169040,00.html
Zimbabwe chaos affects education
‘The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe estimates that over 1000 teachers have been beaten up and more than 100 schools closed. This as the ruling Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are still to compete in a runoff election for the presidency. They fear a crisis in the country’s education.’
and…
‘Most victims accuse militia linked to the ruling party for the violence, but the police disagree. Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner General says: “We all know who is behind the violence, it’s the MDC. They are the ones calling for mass stay away, for violent removal of the president. They are just a violent party.”
May 7th, 2008 23:02
This is also significant. Is the food for supporters or are they stocking up on food for the militia?
http://www.zimbabwegazette.com/the-news/general-news/police-raid-and-'loot'-mbare-musika-20080507377.html
Police Raid and ‘Loot’ Mbare Musika
“They took away large quantities of rice, salt, mealie-meal and cooking oil, among other things that were stored in the market place.â€
                              and
‘Many of the policemen who raided the place, and were loading the trucks were cleanly shaven young men clad in new uniforms- probably from the notorious youth militia.’
                             and
‘Meanwhile, on Tuesday state radio reported the National Incomes and Prices Commission (NIPC) also raided the warehouse of ZANU PF politician and Chitungwiza businessman, Christopher Chigumba.’
May 9th, 2008 11:59
Hi Sokwanele
Perhaps this is worth sharing : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7391688.stm
May 7th, 2008 15:38
[...] Reports of political executions in Zimbabwe: “Last night we received unconfirmed reports that eight people were executed in Shamva. Their bodies are in the morgue, but their names are still unknown.” Posted by Ndesanjo Macha Share This [...]