names of opposition supporters that they were hunting for. It was reported that
they went door to door beating them up. In the rural areas, assaults were
reported of members of the ruling party who attacked opposition persons who
had been acting as polling agents. Monitors from the Forum were informed that
some of the victims tried to seek medical help at Chitungwiza General Hospital
but were turned away. The Forum interviewed one of the doctors who later
assisted the victims at a private facility. The medical practitioner confirms that
he saw the military vehicles in the area. The total number of assaults is
estimated to be forty five (45) and Seven (7) non-fatal gun shots by the time
this report was compiled. The victims, some of which had bullets lodged in their
bodies including a deaf and dumb 44 year old male victim and some with soft
tissue injuries received medical treatment.
c) Abductions - Further reports of abductions and arrests of opposition
supporters were reported. The total number of abductions reported is Sixteen
(16). Four (4) of these people were abducted in Highfields only to be found
heavily tortured by unknowns assailants whom the victims believe to be
members of the military whilst one (1) person was abducted in Mutoko and
managed to escape the assailants. Another MDC Alliance polling agent was
abducted on 7 August 2018 in Marondera. He was found in Goromonzi on 8
August 2018. He was tortured and stripped by four (4) assailants.
d) Destruction of property - Seven (7) cases of destruction of property were
recorded. Vending stalls in the CBD and other suburbs such as in Highfield
were destroyed. It is not clear who destroyed the stalls although vendors
interviewed claim the army is responsible. In an incident verified by the teams
on the ground in Lusaka, Highfield, a tuckshop was destroyed by soldiers and
an amount between $200 to $300 was taken from the victim. In Mutoko East,
in Chihwayi Village, Ward 17, an MDC Alliance polling agent had his two (2)
houses burnt in the evening of 6 August 2018. All clothing and food was
destroyed. The same person was also a victim of arson in 2008.
e) Harassment and intimidation - Various cases of harassment and intimidation
by the military have been reported mainly from the opposition’s supporters and
polling agents. The highest cases have been reported in Chitungwiza,
Kuwadzana, Highfield, Dzivarasekwa and Mbare. However, reports have also
been received from other provinces such as Midlands, and Manicaland. In
Hurungwe West, on 7 August 2018, an MDC A polling agent was harassed by
ZANU PF supporters for being a polling agent. In Mutoko East Ward 15,
Headman Nyamashuka is reported to be compiling names of polling agents. In
Guruve, Chifamba Village, Ward 12, a ZANU PF Chairperson threatened a
villager who had been a polling agent for an independent candidate. Number
of violations is estimated at Twenty Seven (27).
f) Raids of Offices and Homes, Suspicious Visits – MDC Alliance offices and
members’ homes have been raided across the country. Other raids were
reported from people who acted as polling agents for the opposition. A number
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