Election Observers Under Attack in Mt Darwin East
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
Press Release: 6 May 2008
Zimbabwe Election Support is urgently appealing to the police and political parties to immediately intervene in putting an end to the ongoing attacks on accredited election observers in Chibara village in Mt Darwin East. The attacks are happening now and so far 8 huts have been torched with property being destroyed. Running battles between observers and these youth are currently in progress.
Following a Sunday 4th of May 2007 meeting called for by ZANU PF and addressed by Siyavuma Chikwasha, a former soldier and notorious perpetrator of assaults on observers in the area, youths from ZANU PF have been on the rampage targeting and physically beating up anyone thought to have observed the March 29 election. A marauding band of at least 200 youths led by a war veteran named Morris Muropa, related to one of the victims, have so far burnt the huts of 4 observers. The failure by the police to intervene and protect these citizens has led the observers having to defend themselves and their property. Known perpetrators include Tambaoga Nyarende, Oriah Nyarende and Martin Katsande.
The continued targeting of observers by ZANU PF supporters in Mashonaland East and Central with little or no assistance from the police is not just worrying but contrary to the Police Commissioner General’s assertion of zero tolerance to politically motivated violence.
While there have been calls by the National Secretary for Publicity and Information in ZANU PF for tolerance and peace ahead of the runoff, ZESN pleads with the party to urge its supporters and structures to abstain from the continued onslaught on accredited observers including the confiscation of their t-shirts and accreditation cards which amounts to common criminal behaviour.
ZESN calls upon all responsible authorities to make sure that perpetrators of violence are brought to book. ZEC should also publicly explain and correctly emphasise the role of election observation in ensuring a truly transparent and democratic dispensation.
May 7th, 2008 20:14
Is it possible to suggest actions that we can take such as the campaign in Nyamandlovu?
Here is a link to the ITWF on the An Yue Jiang. They say the weapons were not offloaded. I am so tempted to text Matonga to ask him who is correct!!
May 7th, 2008 20:14
Condemn Mbeki Campaign
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to protect themselves agaisnt the ZANU militia. Our only hope now lies in the hands of the United Nations. This can only be achieved by sacking the heartless Mbeki as the mediator and appointing somebody with the general people at heart. Lets plan some peaceful demonstrations to force Mbeki out of the Zimbabwean issue lest millions die soon. Anyone with known organisations who might support the initiative?????
May 7th, 2008 20:29
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=080507170904.fnypnwjl.php
Zimbabwe run-off could take a year: observer chief
Zimbabwe’s top electoral official has told African lawmakers his country’s presidential run-off could de delayed by up to a year, the head of a regional observer mission said Wednesday.’ etc.
[ It has been clear for some time that they will not do a run-off within weeks. I do not want to appear alarmist, but with the escalating violence and the doubt that it will be stopped, as it serves the interests of one group... I don't know. We need ideas on what action to take. I'm afraid that the reports do not contribute to any particular peacefulness in myself, but one could try. Perhaps it will help to remember that a calm head is needed for a good plan, whilst anger may lead to mistakes.]
May 7th, 2008 20:30
Scotchcart … someone suggested today that we compiled a list of telephone numbers and addresses for all police stations in Zimbabwe - especially in main towns - to add to the database. This way when something kicks off we have the info at our finger tips. I think its a very good idea to plan ahead and gather what we MIGHT need in the future to try and anticpate what might come up.
May 7th, 2008 20:45
Police Impotent
The ZRP are highly partisan and ALL reports that we have on violence are said to have been reported to the police IN PERSON but no action was done. It can only make them aware that people are cognisant of their activities but they wont take any action. Remember ZANU & ZRP is one & the same thing
May 7th, 2008 21:52
As with every other African country, I fear the the United Nations will only take action once a genocide has taken place. Only when most of the damage is done, will they overthrow Mbeki’s recommendations of a “softly softly” approach & tell him to get stuffed. I am not bad-mouthing them, I know that they cant just force their way into a country because the country is out of control.
Can’t we somehow get hold of the man who managed to live through the Rwandan genocide, (I cant remember his name -his character was played by Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda). He lives in Sweden or Germany now.
In Rwanda, if the world had acted, instead of debating whether the situation was genocidal or not, they could have saved over 800 000 lives had they acted sooner. Maybe if we could get hold of him & ask him if he would help the Zimbabwean people. All we ask is that he help make the International Community aware of the situation in Zim, & remind the world that if something is not done soon, the situation could lead to a disaster. If he could just help make the world aware that it’s not about presidents & countries, it’s about people! Innocent people & children who don’t care whether Mbeki thinks Africa can solve it’s own problems & that everything is gonna be fine if we ask Mugabe & Zanu-pf nicely, to please stop being violent; who don’t care to debate on whether it is ZANU-PF or MDC causing the violence etc. These are innocent men, woman & children who don’t want to live in fear anymore, who don’t want to see their husbands, wives or children murdered infront of them - a terrifying reality that they have to live through night & day. They just want it to end.
We need to move the Unites Nations into to action - if a survivor from the Rwandan genocide could just move them to take a look for themselves, just go into Zim to observe & assess the situation, the needs of the Zimbabwean people will be clear.
Just because Mugabe & Mbeki say everything is fine, there is no crisis does not mean that it’s true. The veiws of presidents or leaders are not always the views of the people.
I don’t have the money or resources for a campaign & I wouldn’t even know how to go about finding & contacting this man, but people from all over the world read this blog, there must be a way.
May 8th, 2008 08:53
I agree, we need someone to come and see the urgency NOW.They need to experience the actual facts so they don’t think this is all just overeacting.If we sit and wait for Mbeki and Mugabe to act, we are dreaming.They don’t care and a serious situation is on the way if no one acts fast.It has opened my eyes as to what Mbeki stands for, could never have believed it, and an intelligent man at that !!!And as for uncle Bob, it is amazing how many excuses he can think up how to stay in power, even the British and other countries are blamed for his own mistakes !! it is laughable, but actually in reality very sad indeed.Africa has seen enough bloodshed, it is time to stand for love of humanity not war.
May 8th, 2008 10:05
@4th Chimurenga - this might help.
Marches in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe have been called for by COSATU.
http://www.slunionisland.org/2008/05/sl-unionists-statement-on-zimbabwe/
‘We call on all unionists to extend solidarity to the protests planned by COSATU for 17 May 2008.’
[Everybody (outside Zimbabwe) can check to see if the unions (in other countries) will have protests in solidarity to this call by COSATU (South Africa) or forward them the message from the above site - what do you think?]