Human Rights Forum Report: Who was responsible? Makoni North Case 19: C.J. (Male) — 7 June 2000 About 30 MDC supporters attacked C.J. after dragging him from his house with a sisol rope tied around his neck. He was beaten with motorcycle chains on the head and iron bars on the legs. C.J. sustained serious injuries on the head. He also broke his arm and right leg. His assailants left him for dead when he fell unconscious. C.J. dragged himself to a neighbor‟s house after regaining consciousness where he was assisted by John Chokono, who took him to Rusape General Hospital. The incident was reported to Rusape Police. C.J. identified Robert Tauro among his assailants. Tauro is a well-known MDC supporter. Mashonaland Central Bindura and Mount Darwin South Border Gezi, Saviour Kasukuwere, Paddington Zhanda, Pindirire, John Karicoga, Terry Marodza, „John‟, Comrade Satan, Joyce Mujuru and John Chiteve What follows is an account given by Elliot Pfebve, the MDC Candidate for Bindura, who narrowly avoided numerous attempts on his life in the run-up to the 2000 elections. He recounts a specific incident in which Zanu (PF) and MDC youth by the hundreds clashed and were only stopped by the intervention of the army who arrived in a helicopter. Former Zanu (PF) Bindura MP Border Gezi is implicated as a key figure in these acts of violence. Mr Pfebve tells of the violent atmosphere in Bindura during the campaign and the lengths to which Zanu (PF) supporters, CIO members and war veterans were prepared to go to disrupt the MDC‟s ability to campaign. „Zulu‟, an MDC organiser, has also given an account of attempts on his life and mentions a letter issued by Zanu (PF) Mt. Darwin North MP and Acting Defense Minister Joyce Mujuru that offered $25 000 for his murder. This letter found its way across the border to Mozambique where police there were aware of the reward. Mr Pfebve was involved in another attack by Zanu (PF) supporters surrounding the Bindura by-election that was held after the seat was left vacant by the death of Border Gezi. On 22 July 2001, Mr Pfebve was travelling in a 13-vehicle convoy that was also carrying MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and a number of MDC MP‟s. The convoy was travelling throughout the constituency campaigning ahead of the 28-29 July vote. According to newspaper reports, the convoy was attacked by approximately 100 Zanu (PF) youths. Although the MDC leadership, including Mr Pfebve, escaped without injury, five persons in the convoy were seriously injured and an MDC vehicle was burned. MDC Security Director Tendai Nyamushanya claims that a local Zanu (PF) councillor, John Machivepi, led the group. Case 20: Elliot Pfebve, MDC MP candidate in Bindura — June 2000 Some of our members were beaten by Zanu (PF) supporters who were sent there by Border Gezi to flush out MDC supporters. According to people in Manenga, Gezi arrived at that scene, dropped off the youth in his truck and then left them to unleash the violence. Our MDC supporters phoned us to say „we are being beaten‟, so we sent our own youth to rescue them. We sent a lot of them, but when they got there they went amok and started beating Zanu (PF) in retaliation. There was a serious battle and Zanu (PF) were outnumbered. Some of our MDC youth were arrested; 11 of them are still on remand. But after that incident Zanu (PF) realised how strong MDC was and they became afraid to attack in Bindura area. I had a rally at Musiwa business centre at the end of February. That used to be in my constituency, but has now been cut out. Gezi knows me well. We are both businessmen and both from Mashonaland Central. We used to interact. But before that rally, Gezi hired youth from Mashonaland East using vehicles supplied by Paddy Zhanda (the provincial chairman for Zanu (PF) Mashonaland East). These people came earlier. There were about 150 of them. They were armed, including with a gun. Some of our youth came early to put up posters. They beat six of them before I arrived. When I got there I saw this truck and a pick-up. There were people with iron bars, axes and hoes and I realised they couldn‟t be our supporters as no one would come armed like that to a rally. This time I was driving a Mazda 626. I stopped in front of them. At first they didn‟t attack me. The Zanu (PF) supporters were from another province and they didn‟t know me. At least they knew the name, but not my face. But then they saw our 14