Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on pre-election political violence in Mberengwa
Voter Turnout
The election in Mberengwa East attracted strong interest from both local and international observers,
especially because of the frequent reports of extreme violence being perpetrated on the supporters of Ms
Sekai Holland, the MDC candidate for the constituency.
Total Eligible Voters
89 433
Total Voter Turnout
50 551
Total who did not vote
38 882
Percentage Of Voter Turnout
57%
As can be seen from the table above, 43% of the eligible voters in Mberengwa were unable to or chose
not to exercise their right to vote.
Summary of information on Mberengwa Database
All the data received was compiled on a computer database so that both qualitative and quantitative
analysis could take place.
Nature of Incidents
The total number of victims of political unrest in Mberengwa recorded on the database is 335. The
incidents are categorised in the following categories: Death, torture, ill treatment, arrest, detention,
property damage, intimidation or threats and other.
Some victims may have experienced incidents that may be placed in two or more of the categories above.
For example a person may have been intimidated and detained as the victim describes in Case 3.
Case 1
At around 8pm an mid May, Patrick Masunda and David Matsheza approached the complainant's
homestead demanding MDC membership cards. They hit the complainant on the head with a stool
and also harassed his mother before leaving. As they threatened to come back the following day the
complainant fled to Gwanda until elections had passed.
Case 2
I was threatened because I was seen socialising with MDC supporters. I was told to surrender all my
cards. Zanu (PF) supporters went door to door demanding MDC cards. I tried to avoid being beaten
by keeping on the run until elections had passed.
Case 3:
All my clothes were destroyed. I was detained for 3 days by Zanu (PF) youths during which time I
was starved. I did not sleep instead I was constantly intimidated and threatened with death. The Zanu
(PF) youths also made me their cook.
Ages of victims
The ages of affected victims ranges from 10 to 87 thus showing the indiscriminate nature of the violence
inflicted on victims.
Case 4:
(Victims aged 10)
He was beaten up because his family are MDC supporters. Zanu (PF) youths approached his family
on several occasions. His family was threatened into surrendering all MDC material. Pepukai was
one of the chief culprits involved in many of the incidents. The victim’s schooling was interrupted due
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