confirmed that at times the violence in Mbare has been more in the nature of skirmishes, as
MDC‐T supporters have stood their ground at times to defend their stands and homes. However,
the bulk of violence has been driven by Zanu PF, who have predictably also been given impunity
for their acts.
ii. Targeting of party and civics regalia
Six individuals reported being physically attacked for wearing an MDC‐T t‐shirt. One man was
thrown off a moving truck on which he was hitching a ride, for wearing an MDC‐T t‐shirt, and was
lucky to survive the experience. Although not included in the violence statistics as they did not
receive physical injuries, three women in Bulawayo were forced by police to remove ZCTU t‐shirts
in the middle of the public street, thus humiliating them.
iii. Maize slashing protests
Ten individuals were beaten up by Zanu PF youths early in the year, when they rampaged
through Harare in protest at the slashing of some maize stands by the MDC‐T city council.
Photo 8: ZANU Youth in commandeered vehicles, downtown Harare, February 2011
iv. Protests against foreign businesses
Several people reported being beaten up by Zanu supporters when they ran and drove through
the streets attacking foreign owned businesses in central Harare in February.
v. Treason trialists
Forty five activists were jailed and subjected to varying degrees of physical abuse, ranging from
terrible torture to deprivation of access to their ARVs, after being arrested while watching videos
of events in Egypt.
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