Chitungwiza, even though it is the local inhabitants he suffered through
assaults, damage to property and other misfortunes. He highlighted that he
did not know whether the door to door attacks were political or not because
he had someone shout, “MaZANU muchaona moto” (ZANU PF members
you are in trouble).
He also highlighted that they had a community meeting after the incident
and it was confirmed that most of the people who were arrested after being
assaulted, or just assaulted and left were not even part of those who
demonstrated. He highlighted that from the cases he received some of the
complainants had been beaten up and left, some were arrested and had
been released on $100 bail while children had been granted free bail.
On being questioned about the history of the area that they reside he
highlighted that the area had three (3) different names Komboniyatsva,
Balancing Rocks and Mugagawu and it was also known as Ward 1 of the
district called Epworth. He highlighted that they settled in the area in as early
as 1996 and initially they were under Hatfield when they wanted to hold
political meetings. In 1999 as more and more people settled in the area they
were removed from being classified under Hatfield and were moved to
Epworth. He highlighted that they are registered to vote under Epworth and
even the Movement for Democratic Change Councillor for the Ward stays
in Komboniyatsva and was voted for under the district. In 2005 after
Murambatsvina they were told to move to Garikai under a government
scheme to benefit those who are homeless. He highlighted that only two (2)
people benefited from the scheme from the whole community such that the
people moved back to Komboniyatsva. In 2000 they were told to pay for
registration for stands through the Epworth Local Board which they did and
received cards. The stands are still to be provided. He also highlighted that
he is aware that they are an illegal settlement because the area in which
they stay is registered under the United Methodist Church which has taken
them to court.
8.7
Another interview was conducted with the Chief Executive Officer at the
Epworth Local Board. He indicated that Epworth Local Board had not
received any reports about police brutality and torture of people on the 4 th
of July 2016. He highlighted he was at work all day on the day in question
but they did not receive any report of causalities on the day in question. All
he had heard was hearsay information to the effect that touts had burnt tyres
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