In another case, five individuals told Human Rights Watch that a senior army officer
from Harare was directing and inciting the violence from 3 Brigade, the provincial
base of the army in Mutare, Manicaland province.41 Others said that “war veterans”
and ZANU-PF youths and supporters were operating from 3 Brigade army barracks
and were assisting the army by pointing out houses of MDC activists and compiling
lists of MDC activists.42
One person, a prominent MDC activist in Mashonaland East, arrested by the police
after “war veterans” abducted and tortured him in Mashonaland East, told Human
Rights Watch that a military commander in the Zimbabwe Air Force, Bramwell
Kachairo, came to the police station after he heard of the arrest. According the
activist, Kachairo said, “I have come to see this MDC thug. I want to see his face.” He
then told him, “When you get out of prison I am going to slaughter you and you will
be removed from your home.” The man told Human Rights Watch, “Kachairo is the
one causing the violence.”43
Three other people in Mashonaland East named Bramwell Kachairo as being
responsible for organizing and sometimes taking part in the beatings in the province.
One told Human Rights Watch that he had seen Kachairo threatening people with
groups of “war veterans” in Mashonaland East. He told Human Rights Watch, “He is
the one leading the violence. He goes around with the youth militia and ‘war
veterans’ and is always armed.”44 Another said, “I have seen him beating people in
the area. He is very dangerous.”45
In Mashonaland West, seven persons who witnessed attacks on MDC activists in the
towns of Chinhoyi, Kariba and Hurungwe believe that were being coordinated and
directed by Air Marshall Perence Shiri.46 They said they had witnessed several senior
military officers operating under Perence Shiri in these areas. They included a
brigadier general and two lieutenant colonels. Human Rights Watch was also able to
41
Human Rights Watch interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, Mutare, Manicaland, April 28, 2008.
42
Human Rights Watch interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, Mutare, Manicaland, April 28, 2008.
43
Human Rights Watch telephone interview with Mapengo Mapengu, Harare, April 18, 2008.
44
Human Rights Watch interview with Togarepi Manuchi, Harare, April 17, 2008.
45
Human Rights Watch interview, Harare, April 18, 2008.
46
Human Rights Watch interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, Karoi, Mashonaland West, April 30, 2008.
23
Human Rights Watch 2008
Select target paragraph3
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