Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Report — Of Stuffed ballots and Empty Stomachs said he fired gunshots in the air during the incident. One MDC supporter was so seriously injured in the assaults that he had to be hospitalised. Several others were also injured. A number of buildings were also damaged in these attacks. A police officer tried to control the situation. This officer arrested several ZANU(PF) youths and took them to the Filabusi police station but they were later released by member-in-charge. The member-in-charge then ordered the arrest of the victims.85 3. ZANU(PF) candidate for Gokwe, Leonard Chikomba, allegedly led a group of ZANU(PF) supporters who went about assaulting people in Chief Simuchembu’s area. A pregnant female MDC supporter was attacked at a business centre in the area and as a result of the attack aborted a two-month pregnancy. The police have made some arrests in connection with this attack.86 4. In April, Transport Minister Christopher Mushowe allegedly led a campaign to get his political rival and MDC candidate for Mutare West, Gabriel Chiwara, dismissed from the National Railways. Chiwara, who lost to Mushowe in the election, works as an artisan in the NRZ which falls under Mushowe’s Ministry. This alleged campaign also targeted other NRZ workers perceived to be supporters of the MDC.87 Other alleged incidents of violence The NGO Forum’s April 2005 Report includes a large number of incidents of allegations of political violence perpetrated by ZANU(PF) members on supporters or suspected supporters of the MDC. Some of these reports follow: The incidents below all took place in early April, 2005. 1. In Harare North an MDC activist met a group of ZANU-PF youths. The youths said that they were unsure of her allegiance and wanted to know exactly what she was doing and why she was not attending party meetings on a regular basis. One of the youths blindfolded the victim with ZANU-PF regalia and assaulted her beneath both feet and on her palms. The beatings lasted for about 20 minutes. Three buckets of water were poured onto her. She has had to relocate in fear of further victimization. 2. In Mufakose a victim tried to defend his wife against an attack by a ZANU-PF member. He was caught by youths, blind-folded and assaulted all over the body. He sustained a fractured right hand as a result. He managed to escape and reported the matter to the Marimba Police 85 86 87 Zimbabwe Independent 8 April 2005 Zimbabwe Independent 8 April 2005 SW Radio report 7 April 2005 32