Thabo Mbeki issued his usual crap about free and fair elections in
Zimbabwe. He said that everyone was able to campaign unhindered in
Zimbabwe. He is either lying or is just plain ignorant. He had done this
before and he is doing it again. Given that he has South Africa's
intelligence and diplomatic resources at his beck and call, make your
own assumptions after reading the following:
Record of Arrests of Mdc Tsvangirai candidates/activists.
February 2008
11th - Chitingwiza -1 MP candidate, 1 council candidate, 2 others.
14th – Zengeza 6 women arrested (illegal gathering) out on 100 m bail
each.
19th - Bindura 3 arrested. Sandra ****rikihavu ward 7 councilor beaten
and hospitalized.
15th – MDC candidate in Ru****nga, Edson Muwengwa, went missing today
following several death threats. (as of 10th March he has not been
seen). Police (Chitange Police Post and Ru****nga Police station) in the
area have not followed any leads provided. On 12th February, Zanu PF
members led by ****ngi Runhare went to the Muwengwa home and demanded to
be shown where the candidate slept. The same night his house was
looted. The following day 13th Feb. Runhare held a Zanu PF meeting and
told those gathered that “Muwengwa must be fixed”. Muwengwa went missing
after the nomination court.
20th – Mbare MDC activists Davison Panganayi, Tonderayi Mapiye – dist.
Fliers.
21st – Mhondoro – Francis Dhlakama plus others arrested for trying to
obtain voter registration details.
22nd – Epworth – Alabi Billiard, Gift Mukuwira, Kudakwashe Mukudo MDC
activists arrested.
23rd – Hre Railway Station - Dread…… and his girl friend arrested whilst
boarding the train for Mutare for Presidential launch – Dread made the
MDC cd’s. Released on 50 million dollars bail 26th Feb.
24th – Marondera – Muzhambi and Tenfera arrested for allegedly removing
a Mugabe poster/insulting the President. Released pending court.
25th – Muzharabani - Muchemwa Chihota ward election agent and
Munyaradzi Nyama MDC activist arrested.
26th – Bindura - Tawona Chikona arrested on charges of allegedly
tearing down zpf poster.
26th – Chirimanzu – Daniso Nkomo Sec for Security, Patrick Kombayi Prov.
Sec., Tinashe Shoko Dep Org Sec arrested on charge “writing vote
Tsvangirai on rocks”.
Later released on “wrong charge”!.
26th – Marondera – MDC Candidate Iain Kay’s election agent now detained
in police cells for allegedly insulting the President.
27th – Kwe Kwe – Helen Nkosana Mbizo Ward 4 council candidate arrested
today for “holding a meetng without police permission”.
27th – Mutare – Pishayi Muchauraya, MDC publicity and information for
Manicaland abducted from his home by Zanu PF youths early in the
morning. Sms received from him late in the afternoon saying he was at
Old Mutare Police station being interrogated. Efforts to contact him by
phone since have been fruitless.
28th – Pishayi Muchauraya (mentioned above), driver Michael Murapa and
security Tendayi Kononda were on their way in the MDC Manicaland truck
to visit a constituency. They stopped at a garage to buy some drinks. A
new tractor with a trailer carrying about 40 Zanu PF youth saw their
truck and parked in front of them to prevent them moving. The youth then
set about the 3 MDC officials ripping off their Morgan Tsvangirai
T-****rts, and beating them with fists and flat hands and kicking them,
saying “you are on our territory”. All their money was stolen as well as
all the MDC files on constituencies, candidates etc. The three managed
to run away into nearby bush where they hid for three hours while
phoning for help and the Police. Two of the assailants were recognized
viz Misheck Masukume and Peter Ngwarapi of Plot 20, Old Mutare. The
Police RRB number 02588728 refers. Present when re****t being made were
D/Cst. Ngunwende, Insp. Chiyoka both of Law and Order section and also
the Officer Commanding District Chief Supt. Gowo.
29th – 12 MDC youths arrested in Mbare doing door to door campaigning
(which is no longer illegal). They were detained at Mbare Police station
overnight. The lawyer ordered that they be released on Saturday morning
as they had not committed an offence. However the Member in Charge,
Mbare, Insp. MUGUTI kept the youths in custody until Sunday evening when
they were released “no charge”.
March 2008.
4th – Magunje MDC candidate constituency, Timothy Mutsunge was arrested,
together with 17 others for distributing fliers and putting up posters.
22 riot police descended on Mutsunge and his activists and not only
arrested them but 10 innocent civilians, as well as anyone in possession
of MDC literature. It appears that the Member in charge of ZRP Magunje
is working with ZPF candidate for that constituency Franco Ndambakuwa to
frustrate the MDC campaign. Mutsungwe was released on 100 million
dollars bail and has to re****t three times a week at Magunje Police
Station. Only 3 people were released as the bail money could not be found.
5th – 3 people arrested on Donhill Farm, Bindura – charge “putting up
posters” – names are :- Mavhuto Chari, Lawrence Zhuwao and Luckson Dera.
6th – Bindura 5 people appeared in court and granted Z$ 100 m bail.
6th – Dzivarasekwa Gripen Mukucha, Johnson Zaranyika arrested and
charged with removing Zpf posters.
6th – Victor Simbarashe, Ward co-ordinator Chikomba East appearing in
Sadza Court morning of 7th March – charged with holding an illegal
gathering.
8th – Alfonso Zvenyika and Sibiyon Maredza were part of a group
campaigning with Mbare MP candidate Pineal Denga on Saturday. A group
of Zanu PF youth began stoning the group. The Police stood by and
watched as this took place and went so far as to warn the MDC people
that if they retaliated they would be arrested. Alfonso and Sibiyon had
to receive medical attention at casualty.
9th – Glen Norah, Harare – Enock Chikora, Tirivanhu Musara, Caroline
Muchena, Gaya Muchena, Douglas Matandatya arrested for “toyi toyi”.
9th – Epworth – Richard Tana and James Makuwe arrested for “toyi toyi”.
8th /9th – There was a scene at Epworth over the weekend between Zanu PF
youth and the MDC youth. Full details will be established today and
re****ted in this bulletin.
10th – Chinhoyi – Peter Gwina, Stewart Mahonde, David Nhema, Tirivanhu
Mapipa arrested.
10th – At 2.30am a message was received from Brighton Matimba, MDC
Welfare officer, that two vehicles were parked outside his house. At 3am
he sms’d to say there were men outside his window. There has been no
response to his phone since then. (6am Monday). He escaped over the
back wall and is safe.
11th – Marondera Isa Madi and Eric Mdori were arrested, and detained for
putting up posters.
11th – Chitingwiza – Lameck Choga, Phillip Mutoti, Isreal Chanyoredza ,
alleged assault.
11th – Bindura South Broadwill Nyahude (MP Candidate) and Kiliot
Muchapondwa (councilor candidate) plus one other arrested on allegations
of abduction and assault.
11th – Masvingo, Renco Mine MDC activists arrested for allegedly tearing
down posters.
11th – Mabvuku – Bonifasi Yatamu, Shepard Madamombe, Abraham
Kurimakwaramba, Simba Madamombe, Pasipanodya Mutimutema, Simba Zhuwawo,
David Goriath, Anthony Muringisie, Norman Hanyani, Petronella Zambesi,
Eskuri Tapera, Munyaradzi Kufamakutizwa, Muzondiwa Chiwaura, Fungai
Agere, Bhebheya Moda, Tunga Motani, Standford Nhende, Kelvin Madhlazi
all arrested for allegedly pulling down posters.
(All these people appeared in Court today (12th ) represented by ZHLR).
12th -
There is no law to preclude MDC activists/candidates/members putting up
posters, distributing campaign fliers and doing door to door
campaigning. This is a deliberate effort by state agents/Zanu PF to
frustrate all campaign efforts. This is a repeat of the illegal and
partisan behaviour of the Police in every campaign since 2000. Their
modus operandi – abduction, arrests, torture, murder. This cannot be
allowed to continue.
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