vi. Banning of rallies, meetings and marches
A large number of victims reported being beaten or tortured while trying to attend rallies that
they did not know had been banned, such as the one at Glamis Stadium on 19th March ‐ or for
attending MDC‐T meetings including those inside buildings which are not in fact subject to POSA.
On several occasions, the entrance to Harvest House or other MDC‐T offices have been besieged
by ZANU activists or by the police, resulting in injuries.
On 19th March 2011 I came from Budiriro with the intention of attending the MDC rally at
Glamis Station. As I passed near the Harare Showgrounds I met some ZRP officers and I
saw a group of Zanu‐PF supporters chanting slogans and songs. I went to the right side of
the road trying to avoid them. Some of the Zanu‐PF youths came towards me and
grabbed me. They took my cellphone and US$83 in cash. The gang assaulted me
everywhere with booted feet, clenched hands and they used some mechanical instrument
to spray my face. I was assaulted in front of the Police and they only responded after I
was down on the ground. They trod on me. I was taken with others to Harare Central
Police Station where we reported our cases. We were released and went to Harvest
House and they took us to a private clinic for treatment.
5.
Violence in other areas
Violence around the country has occurred in a similarly mixed series of contexts, and is also often
about political control of resources, including food, projects, wheelbarrows and vending stands.
The following statement tracks disputes around vending stands in a small business centre in
Mashonaland Central. What is noteworthy is that the police are shown to have made some effort
to act fairly in the situation, which did end with 15 Zanu PF youth being charged with theft and
damage to property. What is also clear is the high levels of intimidation under which many
Zimbabweans are forced to live – there is little physical violence in this incident, but few people
would be brave enough to withstand such psychological pressure and daily threats, and the loss
of substantial property.
Just then I was grabbed by my collar from behind. He called me Tsvangirai's dog…. I was
pulled to the back of the shop by C and pushed against the wall and I hit my head. He
wanted to kick me and a man called J (soldier) came to restrain him. He ordered me to go
back to the market place. I went to the police to report and they told me to come back
the following day. I went back to the market and started business as usual. The following
day around 11am, they [Zanu youth] came and called me again. They said I should pack
my things and leave the market place…. I returned to the police to report the matter and
was waiting to see the Member in Charge when the group of Zanu PF youth arrived.
When I went into the office of the member in charge they followed. When they were told
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