Human Rights Forum Report: Who was responsible?
if I reported to the police. P.S. identified Norman Josaya, Rwodzi, Mupamombe, Mashonga and Moyo as his
assailants.
Case 46: L.T. (Male) — May 2000
I am a member of the MDC based at (Hestcheth) farm. I had an MDC t-shirt and they came around 11pm and
knocked at my door. They were being led by one Netsai. They demanded that everyone should attend a rally that
evening at our football ground. I complied and when we arrived there we were ordered to sing Zanu (PF) praise
songs and to toyi-toyi. They also told us to lie prone and roll over several times. If anyone did not do it to their
satisfaction they would assault them. We did this for the whole night until about 8am when we were ordered to go
and beat our employer but most of the people refused. This agitated them and they started beating us. During the
night they were demanding MDC party cards and t-shirts but we refused to hand them over. I was assaulted on the
back several times with a hoe handle. When they wanted to assault me for refusing to go and beat up my employer
I managed to escape into my employer‟s house and they left. They later returned being led by one Mashonga
demanding money and food. He was clad in army attire and we gave him and his colleagues food. Just before
elections they came and forced us to attend a rally at one of the farms. Our employers were forced to give us
transport. They accused us of being late and Mashonga, Norman and the others started assaulting us. We were
ordered to lie prone and were assaulted on the back. We were ordered back home and no rally was held. After that
they came several times threatening our employer. I could not go and report for two reasons: 1) The police were
not taking any action even if reports were made. 2) I feared victimisation. I sought medication at our local clinic.
Case 47: I.T. (Male) — 14 May 2000
On the 14th of May at around 10:00hrs while I was sleeping at the farm compound, I awoke to the sudden banging
of doors. War veterans had entered the farm and were forcing farm workers to attend re-education camps. At the
meeting I was severely assaulted for failing to produce a Zanu (PF) card. I was ordered to lie on my belly and
assaulted at the bottom of my feet. I sustained multiple injuries. I.T. identified Norman Josaya, Rwodzi,
Mupamombe and Moyo as his assailants.
Case 48: R.S. (Male) — 17 May 2000
I am the farm manager at Hestcheth Farm and at the time of the incident I did not belong to any political party. On
the 17th of May 2000 a group of war vets held a meeting at the farm. Meanwhile the group that had invaded the
farm were away. I did not attend the meeting. After they had addressed the meeting they left. They demanded
transport and my employer gave them a truck which I drove. I took them to Karoi. Meanwhile some of the people
who were at the farm had told the returned invaders that I had transported MDC supporters. When I returned I
tried to explain the whole situation but they would not listen. Mupamombe led this group. They pushed and shoved
me and ordered me to lie on my stomach and move for about 100m to the nearest water tap. They poured water
from the hosepipe and at the same time assaulted me and threatened me with death. I was also ordered to roll in the
mud. This was being masterminded by Mashonga and Moyo. The torture continued from about 10pm to 3am. After
they tortured me I was ordered to move again on my stomach to their base here. Moyo used a very thick stick to
beat me on the back. I suffered excruciating pain and they continued to pour water on me until I was released
together with my wife who they had then also kidnapped and threatened with death. They also ill-treated my
4-month-old baby and threatened to kill the whole family. My wife saved me from imminent death when she blocked
Norman's strike with her hand. My family and I were released after Rwodzi ordered our release. For fear of
victimisation I could not go and report but my employer made a general harassment report at Karoi Police Station.
Hurungwe West
Mark Madiro
Case 49: V.K. (Male) — 10 May 2000
Forcibly taken away, handcuffed and tied to a bench. Tortured with baton stick by Zanu (PF) youths for allegedly
belonging to MDC. Detained for 5 days. Assaulted under feet and on back. Group was lead by Mark Madiro.
They were based at Mudzimu SC. “I was assaulted throughout the five days. I was ordered not to seek medical
attention at „Zanu (PF)'s Hospitals‟”. Ordered not to continue operating bottle store where he netted about $3 000 a
day. “They threatened to burn down the whole building if I defied the order.”
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