Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Special Report Enforcing the Rule of Law in Zimbabwe Following the June 2000 election, Government sought to deprive the MDC of state funding to which it was entitled under the Political Parties (Finance) Act. The MDC successfully sued to prevent Zanu-PF from spending Z$30 million of the funds allocated earlier. Zanu-PF was required to lodge the money with the Registrar of the High Court. It failed to do so, claiming entitlement to all of the 2000 funding available. The High Court found that Zanu-PF was not entitled to all the State funding available, was guilty of contempt, and ordered it to repay the already-spent Z$30 million, with costs. When the money was not forthcoming, the MDC applied for a Z$50 000 fine against Zanu-PF for its contempt, or a three-month warrant of committal of Zanu-PF’s National Chairman, John Nkomo (also the Minister of Home Affairs) to Harare Central Remand Prison.1 Zanu-PF MPs then passed an amendment to the Political Parties (Finance) Act, which cut off the 2000 funding at the end of June (instead of December) and thereby allowed them to retain the money to which the court had decided they were not entitled. Special constabulary units (reportedly comprising ‘volunteers, Zanu-PF youths and war veterans’) were also trained ahead of their planned integration into the ZRP.2 MDC As Zanu-PF attested its militia into the ZRP for training, MDC supporters were arrested for possessing registered firearms and accused of training an MDC militia and/or planning to send youths for military training in Uganda. MDC youths had allegedly been sent to Uganda three months before the party was even formed! Later, another five were reportedly alleged to have joined the ‘Red Army’ for local military training - in St Mary’s cemetery!3 Apart from the above type of light relief, the main opposition party has seen its leadership, MPs and supporters harassed almost beyond belief, usually on charges of inciting public violence under the Law and Order (Maintenance) Act (LOMA) (and sometimes more serious charges). Among many members of the MDC who have been so harassed using LOMA are its President and Deputy President (Morgan Tsvangirai and Gibson Sibanda), national youth chair Nelson Chamisa, Justin Mutendadzamera, Jefter Munyanyi, Tafadzwa Musekiwa, Job Sikhala, Nelson Chamisa, Mzila Ndlovu, Peter Nyoni, Thokozani Khupe, Abednico Bhebhe, Bernard Mhunduru, Gift Chimanikire and hundreds of ordinary party members. Justice Chinhengo upheld the MDC’s complaint that it was being debarred from contesting the Chegutu mayoral election, for which nominations had been closed on 18 October 1999 without an election having been held. He ordered the Registrar-General to hold a new nomination court for this post. By September 2001 this had still not been done and there was no indication of when the election would be held. The Herald 14.12.00. The Zimbabwe Independent 2.3.01. 3 The Daily News 17.5.01. 1 2 50