For ZANU PF Attack Is The Best Form Of Defence

Violence and intimidation continues throughout Zimbabwe.

"…Enos Sibanda, the MDC Insiza North district treasurer was evicted from his house in Filabusi after the deputy Public Service minister and Insiza North MP; Andrew Langa forced the management of Shangani mine to allocate the house to a ZANU PF sympathiser.

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Sibanda is a former employee of Shangani mine and had been staying at the house like most former employees. Sibanda was involved in mobilising MDC supporters to participate in COPAC public meetings, a move which did not go down well with Langa.

Meanwhile, Livingstone Samson, an MDC activist was last week assaulted by two ZANU PF youths at Nhakiwa business centre in Uzumba, Mashonaland East province for mobilising MDC supporters to participate in the Constitution-making process. The assailants, Denford Chitimbe and Kudakwashe Mudarikwa stole his cellphone and US$62. Mudarikwa is the brother of Uzumba MP, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa.

Samson made a report at Nhakiwa police station and was told to make the issue a civil court matter. He was later paid US82 by Simbaneuta for the replacement of the stolen money and cellphone."

Theft is not a civil matter. Neither is assault.

So just why the ZRP are abdicating their duties, I am not sure - but I am positive that it is as a result of a directive coming from ZANU PF high command.

Even more violence has been reported as the idea of a people-driven constitution is resisted by ZANU PF in its various forms...

"Assaults on MDC officials and supporters intensified in the Chipinge area of Manicaland on Wednesday and Thursday, as ZANU PF continued its campaign of violence linked to the Constitutional outreach program. Provincial spokesperson and Makoni South MP, Pishayi Muchauraya, said that two MDC officials sustained broken limbs and MDC vehicles were attacked and vandalized by youth militia and CIO agents in separate attacks.

The frustrated spokesperson talked about how their party will have to adopt defensive strategies to deal with ZANU PF violence and intimidation in all five districts of Chipinge.

Muchauraya said: "We, as MDC, are partly worried that it is not working as ZANU PF alone. It has militarized the war vets. It has militarized the militia. It has militarized some headman. It has militarized village chiefs, to make sure that everyone within their circles is viciously attacking MDC supporters. Our concern is that this state sponsored violence cannot go ahead alongside the constitution making exercise."

On Wednesday in ward 4 Chipinge west, youth chairperson Tsvakeyi Muzhambi and two other MDC members were followed by ZANU PF thugs and CIO agents, armed with guns and sporting dark glasses. The group abandoned their car and ran for safety, but Muzhambi was cornered and assaulted severely.

Muchauraya said the youth official dislocated his leg and the other two MDC members escaped, but also sustained injuries. The ZANU PF thugs and CIO agents drove the car, then deflated all the tyres and stole some cash, food and tools that were left inside.

In another incident Wednesday in the same district, an MDC truck carrying the provincial youth organizing secretary, Dennis Manguva, was blocked from entering Clearwater Estate by militia alleged to be armed with AK 47’s. The assailants attacked the truck and villagers at the scene, threatening to kill them if they attended Constitutional meetings in the area.

On Thursday in Chipinge Central, the 48 year old district chairperson, Perpetua Pedzisayi, was assaulted by youth militia and CIO agents, led by Charles Jambaya and Temba Manaiwa.

According to Muchauraya, they broke her right arm in front of many witnesses, but the police have made no arrests. The same gang assaulted a disabled teacher at a school in the area and broke his arm as well.

Asked whether the MDC would continue to take part in the constitution making exercise, Muchauraya said: "The MDC like any other party has got its structures. And unfortunately I am speaking at a provincial level. So what we are doing now is while we are forwarding these complaints to our head office in Harare, we are also going to take some defensive mechanisms to deal with this whole situation. And I know we are going to do it soon."

Muchauraya explained that the MDC had suspended Constitutional outreach meetings on Wednesday after ZANU PF leaders forced the police to arrest a rapporteur who had been taking notes about the intimidation. He said the issue was resolved on Thursday after charges against the rapporteur were dropped and all parties met to discuss the way forward."

And as the pro-Mugabe police force refuse to deal with any report against ZANU PF or their self-appointed wings, the MDC and their supporters find themselves in a position where they can do very little about the actions of the militia and their cohorts.

Just about all they can do is report back to their party who release these daily statements, which unfortunately are just filed for future reference.

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man