6. The forthcoming elections: can they be free and fair? This update on the previous report demonstrates that the basic trends observed previously continue, and, as discussed above, are even seen in the internal elections for Zanu-PF candidature in the forthcoming general elections. The persistence of gross human rights violations and their heightened prevalence around elections does not augur well for the poll on 31 March and the recently promulgated SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. In terms of these Principles and Guidelines the Zimbabwe Government is required, amongst other things, to ensure the following: · · · · · · full participation of the citizens in the political process; freedom of association; political tolerance; equal opportunity for all political parties to access the state media; impartial electoral institutions; an independent judiciary. At the time of writing none of these requirements can be said to have been complied with. Furthermore, the SADC Principles and Guidelines also insist that the following should be observed: the safeguarding of human and civil liberties of all citizens, including the freedom of movement, assembly, association, expression, campaigning and access to the media on the part of all stakeholders, during electoral processes. CASE STUDY SIX In September 2004 four Bulawayo youths were kidnapped and allegedly severely tortured. The youngsters, Mandlenkosi Sibanda, Mandlenkosi Luphahla, Tisunge Botomani and Nkosilathi Gama, were all members of the ruling Zanu-PF party, and were apparently tortured at Magnet House, the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in Matabeleland, in front of Bulawayo CIO boss Innocent Chibaya. They were kidnapped from their homes in the high-density suburb of Emganwini and tortured for over four hours. They were beaten all over their bodies with clubs, belts and electric cables, sustaining broken bones and serious injuries to their genitals. The newspaper which broke the story and which generally supports Zanu-PF, said the youths were apparently targeted as a result of intra-party struggles surrounding a notorious war veteran leader, Jabulani Sibanda. The youths apparently named the CIO agents and said that CIO boss Chibaya had witnessed the torture. As a result of the publicity Vice President Msika was reported to have ordered an investigation into CIO boss Chibaya as well as the police chief in Bulawayo, Charles Mufandaidze. Later that month the same paper said that two of the CIO persons said to be responsible, Sylvester Chibango and Medicine Furusa, had been charged and convicted of common assault and fined the equivalent of US$8 each. [Sources: Zimbabwe Financial Gazette 7 and 14 October 2004; Zimbabwe Independent 19 November 2004; Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Political Violence Report, September 2004] 15