Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on political violence in Bulawayo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands In early April in Zvishavane MDC youths attacked Zanu (PF) youths who had gathered for a political meeting. (No details are given of the injuries suffered). At the end of May 15 MDC youths attacked three Zanu (PF) supporters, one of them an ex-combatant at Matage Growth Point, Mberengwa East. The youths were allegedly ferried to the area by the MDC aspiring candidate for Mberengwa East, Sekei Holland, in her vehicles. (No details are given of the injuries suffered). In mid April in Gokwe MDC youths damaged a Zanu (PF) truck. 11 MDC members were arrested in connection with this incident. Other incidents Other incidents reported in this area include the following: 1 June, Mberengwa Seven schools in Mberengwa have been closed after suspected war veterans and Zanu (PF) militants launched a terror campaign at Matanga Growth Point and surrounding areas last Sunday. Scores of teachers were beaten up and fled for their safety. The militants first broke into an MDC office and confiscated a supporter’s register which they later used to identify teachers and villagers as MDC supporters. 1 June, Mberengwa War veterans have meanwhile mounted a roadblock along the road linking Matanga with Mnene Hospital and Zvishavane. Buses are stopped and passengers checked; those found without Zanu (PF) membership cards are assaulted with iron bars and forced to buy cards. 1 June, Mnene A nurse at Mnene Hospital and a teacher at a primary school are reported to have been beaten up with electrical cords and sticks threatened with, stripped naked, forced to climb trees and jump from three metres, then frogmarched to Texas Farm where war veterans camp, serving as a self-styled re-education camp. 1 June, Mberengwa West A group of war veterans forced at least two teachers at Ruvabku to go and victimize Nkomo, a teacher who had to flee from Chegato Primary School several teachers were singled out by war veterans suspected of being MDC supporters. At Maringambizi Secondary School war veterans descended on the female head and threatened two teachers before setting the school library on fire, which partly burnt. 2 June, Mataga Zanu (PF) supporters went on the rampage here on 31 May, burning down the houses of suspected MDC supporters and razing a shelter for victims of violence set up by Mrs Holland. They beat and axed several of her supporters, but eight of her supporters have been charged with attempted murder for protecting themselves against their attackers. 2 June, Kwekwe Vendors of privately-owned newspapers, the Zimbabwe Independent, the Standard the Daily News, and the Financial Gazette were under fire from the war veterans and Zanu (PF) supporters who are blocking distribution of the papers in Kwekwe. The same reports come from other places. 8 June, Gokwe The ZUD candidate for Midlands, Mr. Jasael Chimbendure, had to flee to Harare, after Zanu (PF) supporters had threatened to kill him. At least 100 Zanu (PF) supporters have allegedly changed the offices of the Rural District Council at Nembudzia growth point into a base from where they launch attacks on the opposition. 25

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