Zimbabwe opposition candidate in Marondera reported stabbed to death
Source Date: 04-09-2007

Officials of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change said an activist in rural Marondera had been stabbed to death late Friday while another member of the party who was stabbed in the same incident was paralysed as a result.

Sources in the MDC faction of Morgan Tsvangirai said Jabulani Chiwoka, a candidate in rural district elections to be held in January, was killed by suspected members of the ruling Zanu PF party while Tafiranyika Nyandoro was hospitalised and immobile.

The alleged incident of political violence in the approach to national elections in early 2008 was said to have occurred in Marondera, Mashonaland East, a stronghold of the ruling Zanu PF party that has at times been a "no-go zone" for the opposition...

In a recent report, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said that seven months into 2007, the year has broken previous records for reported political violence, citing the approach of local, general and presidential elections in early 2008...

Attorney Tafadzwa Mugabe of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (said) his group had received a report of the incident and was looking into it as a case of political violence.

Source: VOANews (USA)
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SADC standards breached

• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.7: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure that adequate security is provided to all parties participating in elections;