• • • • • 3.4 • • • In Nyamandhlovu a white farmer, who was a supporter of the MDC, was attacked in his farm homestead by a large group of war veterans and their supporters and was shot and wounded and beaten to death. In Mukumbura the brother of an MDC parliamentary candidate, was allegedly beaten to death by a large mob of Zanu (PF) supporters. The mother and father of the brothers were also severely beaten. In Beatrice a white farmer, who was a supporter of the MDC, was beaten with concrete blocks and iron bars. He subsequently died from the injuries that had been inflicted. Another white farmer in Beatrice was shot and subsequently died, although it may turn out that this was a criminal rather than a politically motivated murder. Sgt Alex Chisasa was killed at 9:30 p.m., by a gang of 5-6 on the Jack Quinton bridge near his home in Mupinge, Chipinge area. He is thought to have been beaten to death with an iron bar. Chisasa was stationed at Chisambange police station. His killing is thought to have been political as immediately before the incident he was drinking beer in the township, dressed in civilian clothes. He was publicly criticising the political strategy of Zanu (PF) and the party's use of war veterans. His death was brought to the attention of the project, but no further details are available at present. Takundwa Chipunza an MDC supporter from Budiriro, Harare, was killed, allegedly by Zanu PF supporters, 12 of whom have been arrested and are on remand until 5 June. Torture Whilst organised violence has been very commonly reported (see below), systematic torture has not been so commonly reported. Torture victims will often not seek assistance for fear of further retaliation, but nonetheless several cases have been reported16. 21 April 2000: MDC members were drinking at Wasara-Wasara beerhall in Gokwe, the Midlands, around 9:45 p.m. About 20 Zanu (PF) youths and “war veterans” approached them and one of them was abducted. He was taken to their office at the council building, where he was brought before around 200 Zanu (PF) supporters. He was then tortured with electric shocks and beaten on the soles of the feet at gunpoint. A war veteran named Shenje led the assault. 28 April 2000: An MDC member was tortured, allegedly at the hands of CIO operatives in Kambuzuma, Harare. He has given a detailed statement of his ordeal. 8-16 May 2000: Three people interviewed said they had been tortured at Chenjerai Hunzvi's surgery in Budiriro between these dates. Each claimed to have seen other people being tortured inside(there are unconfirmed reports of four more victims. Takundwa Chipunza, who died of beatings outside the surgery, is also suspected of having been tortured at the surgery. In Mashonaland East, the ZexCom offices at Murehwa growth point is a known torture house. Chipesa Farm in Marondera is also a centre for the planning and implementation of violence. Karoi, the Zanu (PF) offices in the high-density suburb of Chikangwe are being used to house a militia who chant slogans and sing all night, bringing opposition members for beating there. There have also been serious allegations that the surgery belonging to D Cenjerai Hunzvi has been used as a torture centre. Below the report refers to a further number of alleged torture cases that were investigated directly. 16 See ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM: VIOLENCE MONITORING PROJECT The Unleashing of Violence: A report on political violence in Zimbabwe. Update for the week ending 15 May 2000; ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM: VIOLENCE MONITORING PROJECT The Unleashing of Violence: A report on political violence in Zimbabwe. Update for the week ending 19 May 2000; ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM: VIOLENCE MONITORING PROJECT The Unleashing of Violence: A report on political violence in Zimbabwe. Update for the week ending 26 May 2000 10