Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on political violence in Bulawayo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands 19 June, Chiredzi Two shop assistants at Tshovani Business Centre were injured by Zanu (PF) supporters and war veterans after their shop was attacked by a group led by Mr. Mutemachani, who was looking for MDC supporters. 23 June, Chiredzi The Daily News reports that business in Chiredzi was brought to a halt yesterday as war veterans went from door to door ordering people to attend a Zanu (PF) rally where Vice-President Msika was speaking. MATABELELAND NORTH AND SOUTH The Archbishop Ncube, the Catholic bishop in this area has expressed his concern over the presence of military personnel sporting red berets, the type that was worn by the now-disbanded 5 Brigade during the reign of terror on civilians in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the 1980s following an armed dissident uprising in the three provinces. Archbishop Ncube was adamant that the presence of military personnel in red berets was not just coincidental. He said the government was waging a psychological war to gain votes in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Ncube said. “It is clear the government is afraid of losing the election so they have embarked on a psychological war,” he said. “These people in red berets are meant to cow the ordinary people into voting for the government in the election. “The message is clear: ‘Remember what we did to you in the 1980s? If you do not vote for us we will be back to repeat the torture,’ is what the presence is saying. It is an intimidating tactic to ensure people vote the government back into power.” MATABELELAND NORTH Interference with schools War veterans and their supporters had invaded George Silundika High School in Nyamandlovu and Tsholotsho High School. Threatening statements On 28 May there was a Zanu (PF) rally at Matambo Farm, Nyamandhlovu. The meeting was addressed by Mr James Zinyemba who is the campaign manager for the ZANU (PF) candidate for the BubyeUmguza constituency, Mr Obert Mpofu, Several hundred farm workers from neighbouring farms attended the meeting was meant to attend the meeting but at the commencement of the meeting it was advised that he could not attend because his father-in-law had died at Mpilo Hospital. A man describing himself as “Awusozeumpindeumbone” (meaning “you will not see me again”) also spoke at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to campaign for the ZANU (PF) candidate Mr Obert Mpofu and to encourage those attending to vote for him. In the course of the meeting both Mr Zinyemba and “Awusozeumpindeumbone” said that people in Nyamandhlovu would be called to another meeting in Nyamandhlovu after our client, Mr Robin Greaves, “had been killed”. At this meeting Mr Greaves’ head, having been cut off, would be presented to the people. There was specific reference to the “old man Greaves”. The meeting was advised that they (ZANU (PF)) did not want his son, Mr Harry Greaves. The reason that the “old man” was selected was because he was alleged “not to live peacefully with the people” whereas the son did. The meeting was further advised that they, namely ZANU (PF), “had already killed one person”, namely Martin Olds, who was murdered on the 18th April. Also in the course of the meeting Mr Zinyemba advised those attending the meeting that after the elections, whether Mr Mpofu won or lost, they would “go after” MDC supporters and youth. Those attending the meeting were advised that they, namely Mr Mpofu and his supporters, would check each ballot box to see which area had voted for respective candidates. If it was found that certain areas had voted for the MDC candidate then retribution would be brought against that particular area. In the course of the same meeting security guards employed by commercial farmers in the area were called together and shown a pile of shamboks in 10