(gamatox is a derogatory name used to refer to the members who sympathise with the former Vice President Joice Mujuru) or members of MDC-T party. Discrimination in the distribution of food and other items is still being noted across the country. During the month of April ZPP noted with concern the xenophobic violence in South Africa where Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals have been targeted. ZPP commends the unity that was shown during the campaign against xenophobia and wonders why the same kind of unity of purpose is not shown in condemning violence perpetrated within Zimbabwe targeting fellow Zimbabweans who have different views. On 17 April 2015 Sydney Chisi, a human rights campaigner and the Director of the Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe was viciously assaulted by uniformed police officers during a peaceful demonstration organised by civil society organisations to protest against xenophobia. The group of 15 truncheon wielding police officers assaulted him all over the body to such an extent that he passed out. This act was in direct violation of the Constitution which states in Section 52 that every person has inherent dignity in their private and public life, and the right to have that dignity respected and protected. As at the end of April it 51 days had lapsed since the abduction and disappearance of Itai Dzamara. ZPP remains deeply concerned and frustrated about the continued disappearance of Itai and the failure by the State to abide by the High Court Order directing them to search for him. PROVINCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Mashonaland West Violence transformed the political landscape in Hurungwe West where a by election has been set for 10 June 2015. The violence was mainly perpetrated against supporters and suspected sympathizers of former Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa who was dismissed from Zanu PF. Temba Mliswa is contesting as an independent candidate against Zanu PF candidate Keith Guzah. On 12 April 2015 Temba Mliswa was arrested at Sengwe business centre and allegedly charged with disrupting the ruling party’s meeting. He was arrested together with former Zanu PF Harare Province youth Chair Jim Kunaka, Prosper Gavanga, Munyaradzi Mugoneza and Farai Kuvheya. On 26 April 2015 five village heads were assaulted by Zanu PF youths and leaders from Zvimba. The youths had accompanied Minister Ignatius Chombo to a meeting at Nyamhunga Primary school. Phillip Chiyangwa the only Zanu PF candidate to lose a seat in Mashonaland West to MDC-T in 2013 elections has been identified as one of the people who assaulted the headmen suspected of supporting Temba Mliswa. Some headmen then lost their positions on accusations that they supported the former legislator. The violence in Hurungwe West has been widespread and openly organized to such a scale as to lay bare deeper patterns of abuse of office by senior ruling party officials. Minister Chombo who is reported to have been present did not stop the youths from assaulting the traditional leaders. On 30 April Chief Nyamhunga replaced the village heads, one notable one is Headman Alick Mangisi who was replaced by his brother Clever Munava Mangisi. Two of the fired headmen fled from the area in fear of reprisals. The events in Hurungwe West have demonstrated the pervasive role of violence in Zimbabwean political contests and the fact that structures of violence are only dormant and can be easily activated. The violence in Hurungwe West was perpetrated by gangs whose members are openly recruited and financed by senior public officials and party officials. In April farm workers at Spring farm in Karoi which belongs to former MP Mliswa sustained serious injuries when they were assaulted by Zanu PF youths who invaded the farm. The injured workers had to be hospitalized. The violence experienced in Hurungwe West 3