Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on political violence in Bulawayo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands On 31 May, Trelawney Tony Oates, a commercial farmer was shot dead on his farm in Trelawney, was shot dead by a suspected attempted robbery by two robbers who broke into the house. The killing was not apparently political as Oates was not involved with any political party and his farm had not been invaded by war veterans. However, the robbers were obviously taking advantage of the lawlessness created by the invasion of farms. Harassment of health workers In May it was reported that health workers at Chinamora Hospital were forced to pay money in order to avoid being raped. Health workers at Karoi Hospital also reported to face similar threats. These cases were reported to the police but no police action was taken and the health workers fear for their security. Assaults These reports have been obtained from a variety of sources. Case 1: Area Binga A nun based at a Catholic Mission Hospital in the Binga area gave this account: I was travelling to Gokwe Dicocese for a funeral. At the bus stop at around 3.00 am some Zanu (PF) supporters arrived, first disguising themselves as MDC members and started shouting: “”Pamberi neMDC”. That they did three time. Fearful for our lives we responded saying, “Pamberi “. Then they said, “So you are MDC supporters”. But people refused saying that they were strong Zanu (PF) supporters and produced their party cards.One would be forgiven to think that they were after the Catholic Church because they then moved straight to me and asked me to produce a Zanu (PF) car which, of course, I didn’t have. They accused me saying that I was on my way to address a Justice and Peace workshop. I tried to explain to them that I was on my way to a funeral, but they could not take it. They then asked me to choose between life and death, saying that I either surrender the money, to ensure that I don’t travel or they would still kill me. So I had to surrender the purse containing the money and other particulars. They took away more than $500.00 and threw away other particulars. Thank God they didn’t search my travelling bag where I had hidden some of the money. I then picked up my particulars. One of the men at the bus stop, who works for the DDF tried to explain to them that Sisters are good people who do no harm to anyone. He was told that he would be killed together with me. From then on the man kept quiet. After they left, the man asked if he could help me with some money to travel, but I told him that I still had enough for the journey. Around 4.15 am the Gokwe bus arrived and we reached the place safely. On Monday 1 May, the burial took place. My relatives, who happen to stay opposite the local MP, were very much afraid of the security situation in Karoi as well. Just two days before the burial two people had been killed and thrown by the road close to their house. So they had resorted to having supper early and retiring to bed by 7.00 or 7.30. However, on the day of the burial the situation was peaceful. Early Tuesday morning around 2.00 am I took a taxi to the bus stop on my way back. The bus left Karoi around 2.30 pm. We were about 40 of us in the bus. I prepared myself to sleep in the bus, since the journey was long and I was tired from the previous day. I had a jacket and a pocket sheet with me and in no time I fell asleep. We reached Magunje Growth Point and there some Zanu (PF) activists came into the bus, about 10 in all. At the beginning I was still asleep. They began shouting slogans; “Pamberi neZanu (PF)” and I think in my sleep I responded with the rest in the bus, “Pamberi”. Then four of them approached me and asked me to produce my Zanu (PF) card. Strangely, nobody else in the bus was asked to do the same. When I replied that I had no card, they started beating me with sticks on the sides, hands and back. They then asked me to accompany them out of the bus, but I refused for fear they could or may kill me. I held on to the seat bar and said that they could only take me out dead not alive. I don’t know where I got the strength to keep on holding the bar in the face of assault by four men. This infuriated them and one of them clapped me right on the face with such strength that I started bleeding through the nose and I fainted. A man seated on the seat behind applied First Aid to me until I recovered consciousness. He then told me that the Zanu (PF) activists left after assaulting me. Surprisingly, no one else was disturbed or touched. The man also told me that they afterwards told the bus driver to drive off and he came into the bus laughing as if nothing had happened. It was only when we reached Peter’s store that I became fully conscious and then realised that my white habit was full of blood and my cheeks were swollen. I felt pain all over my body and I broke down in tears until we reached Chitsa. I then decided to drop down at Tshoda because I simply wanted to narrate my ordeal to someone older, get advice and just to cry. I went to my aunt’s place, but she was not there. I then proceeded to the Mission in the hope of seeing my parish priest, but he was not there. Then I went to my home. I narrated my ordeal to them. They told me the situation was no better in the area. 5