Zimbabwe: The Face of Torture and Organised Violence 7. Conclusion The reality of Zimbabwe today is that the legacy of organised political violence and torture over the past few years has deeply scarred the political climate of that country, and the legacy endures as each day witnesses new reports of human rights violations as the election draws near.20 In these circumstances, what can the international community do? Clearly, any practical steps which can be taken to monitor the elections should be embraced, despite the manifold obstacles which have been placed in the path of those wishing to do so, and the outright ban on “Western” observers. But the fact remains that what observers arriving in Zimbabwe before the election might not see is the cumulative result of the passed five years: widespread fear, hopelessness and despondency which is likely to lead to a low turnout. This, coupled with a myriad of problems concerning the preparations for the poll, ranging from serious irregularities in voter registration to the manipulation of constituency boundaries, already casts a long shadow over the election. In the words of Zwelinzima Vavi, Secretary General of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU): “It would take a miracle to save the credibility of the general election to be held in Zimbabwe”.21 CASE STUDY SEVEN The period since December 2004 has seen dramatic internal Zanu-PF feuding following the party congress held earlier in the month. Information Minister Jonathan Moyo’s political demise began for trying to defy Mugabe’s choice for vice president, but there was soon more to come. State agents kidnapped Zanu-PF MP Phillip Chiyangwa on 15 December 2004 as part of an alleged spy-ring selling State secrets to South Africa; others arrested around the same time were banker Tendai Matambanadzo, Zanu-PF diplomat Godfrey Dzvairo, Zanu-PF functionary Itai Marchi, and Zanu-PF’s deputydirector for security Kenny Karidza. Also named was diplomat Erasmus Moyo said to have been recalled from the embassy in Geneva but who escaped between the departure lounge and takeoff, and whose whereabouts are now unknown. Another alleged spy, notorious torturer and war veteran leader Jabulani Sibanda, was said to have fled the country. A South African who allegedly set up the spy-ring and who was arrested inside Zimbabwe has yet to appear in court, but there have been appearances of the five Zimbabweans, and three have already been jailed for breaching the Official Secrets Act: Matambanadzo, Dzvairo and Marchi. Karidza is on trial while Chiyangwa was finally released on bail in late February 2005. Most court proceedings have been shrouded in secrecy but so far serious torture allegations have emerged. 20 The Zimbabwe Standard reported on 13 February 2005 that drunken soldiers had beaten up 15 MDC members the previous week in Nyanga, accusing them of holding a rally without permission of the army. An online report on 23 February 2005 (I-Net Bridge (SA)) quoted the MDC as saying that another group of 20 soldiers attacked MDC officials coming from Masvingo where the MDC had launched its election campaign for the general election. A number of MDC candidates were said to have sustained injuries all over their bodies as they were kicked with booted feet and punched. On 28 February 2005 The Standard reported that suspected Zanu-PF activists, including youth militias and “war-veterans” were terrorising people at night in Mutare. Those who failed to produce Zanu-PF membership cards were severely assaulted. 21 Cape Times (SA), 25 February 2005 16