Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum: Report on violence against peaceful protestors in Harare No 14 – Sunday Mail report 2 April 2000 NCA marchers chased by war veterans Violence marred the National Constitutional Assembly march held in Harare following a clash between war veterans and the NCA members in the city centre yesterday. Under the banner “March for Peace, Justice and Democracy” hundreds of NCA and Movement for Democratic Change members marched through the streets of Harare yesterday morning disrupting traffic and chanting anti-ZANU (PF) songs and denigrating the government. Traffic was brought to a standstill as the marchers took over the streets with youths from opposition parties tyoi-toying and declaring war on the war veterans occupying white owned commercial farms. A large part of the NCA crowd comprised members of the white community, including a well-known priest. Although the marchers were initially unchallenged as they went around the central business district, war veterans who were meeting at the ZANU (PF) headquarters later took-up their challenge in the afternoon and violent clashes flared. The NCA marchers took to their heels. The two groups clashed between First Street and Nelson Mandela Avenue, resulting in scores of people being injured after being attacked with sticks, stones and sjamboks as the two groups fought. Police were quick to intervene, tear-gassing the fighting groups. People were forced to flee in different directions with the war veterans marching to the ZANU (PF) Harare Province officers before returning to the headquarters where they were addressed by the chairman of the Harare Province War Veterans Association, Cde Douglas Mahiya. A 59-year-old white man sustained a deep cut on the head during the violent clashes. Despite his cut, NCA marchers hoisted Mr David Payne as he addressed them. Mr Payne, who runs a construction company, said he was attacked by more than five youths when he was just standing away from the marchers. “I think I was attacked because of the colour of my skin,” he said. Blind singer, Cde Levias Ruzive, who usually makes public performances at the corner of First Street and George Silunduka Avenue, had his box guitar destroyed by riotous youths suspected to be members of the NCA. Cde Ruzive was also robbed of $1 000, several cassettes and compact discs in the ensuing melee. “I have lost my means of earning a living and I am now appealing for help to raise $4 000 to buy a new box guitar,” said a dejected Cde Ruzive, who said that well wishers could contact him at 13080 Unit N in Chitungwiza. Addressing the war veterans who had gathered at the ZANU (PF) party’s Harare officers, Cde Mahiya said: “The NCA and MDC must not demonstrate against us. The NCA and other church members should not provoke us. They must respect us,” said Cde Mahiya. - 24 -