Zimbabwe: The Face of Torture and Organised Violence Sikhala was also said to be severely tortured. The men were apparently forced to confess to false allegations, including the burning of a Zanu-PF vehicle and a plot to violently overthrow the Government. Medical examinations after their release were consistent with their allegations, and when they appeared in court the evidence of torture was apparently so clear that all charges were dropped immediately. Shumba later fled to South Africa where he is still working on Zimbabwe human rights issues. [Sources: Testimony to United States Congress House Committee on International Relations 10 March 2004; Amnesty International Report 26 June 2003; Lawyers Committee for Human Rights Alert 17 January 2003; Zimbabwe Human Right NGO Forum Political Violence Report January 2003.] None of the allegations of torture have been investigated. From newspaper reports, including those in the State-controlled daily newspaper the Zimbabwe Herald, the following are alleged to have taken place during the recent Zanu-PF primaries: · · · · · Allegations of people voting more than once13; Use of undesignated polling stations14; Illegal selling of party cards15; Violence against other factions16; Vote-buying through the use of food17. All of these types of allegations have been levelled previously against the Zanu-PF Government in respect of national elections and by-elections18 and now have occurred against the background of unprecedented protest by Zanu-PF supporters over the nonacceptance of their candidates by the party’s election directorate.19 None of this supports the view that Zanu-PF esteems democratic procedures. It is perhaps to be expected that the party will resort to the same practices in the much more important processes of representation at national and local government levels. 13 See Herald, 22 January 2005, Undenge springs surprise. 14 See again Herald, 22 January 2005, Undenge springs surprise. 15 See Herald, 19 January 2005, Ban on Ministers removed. The story reported the Head of the National Elections Directorate, Eliot Manyika, as follows: "The National Elections Directorate has suspended Cde Beta for being at the centre of irregularities involving the availability of party membership cards not issued by the Zanu-PF Headquarters," said Cde Manyika, adding that Cde Beta would remain a party member unless and until a properly constituted party disciplinary committee decides that he be suspended. 16 See Herald, 19 January 2005, MP removed from remand. 17 See Daily News online edition, 21 January 2005, Made wins, with a little help from GMB. 18 See AMANI (2002), Organised Violence and Torture in the June 2000 General Election in Zimbabwe, HARARE: AMANI TRUST; AMANI (2002), Neither Free nor Fair: High Court decisions on the petitions on the June 2000 General Election, HARARE: AMANI TRUST; AMANI (2002), Organised Violence and Torture in the Bye-Elections held in Zimbabwe during 2000 and 2001, HARARE: AMANI TRUST. 19 Also seen has been the suspension of party officials, Members of Parliament, and even Ministers for their part in the socalled “Tsholotsho” declaration which Mugabe construed as a plot to appoint Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice president instead of his (Mugabe’s) chosen favourite Joyce Mujuru. Furthermore, there was the dismissal of whole Provincial and District Co-ordinating Committees for their part in this same event. 14