15
amnesty of last October, and thus cannot even be prosecuted for kidnapping let alone the
probable murder.
In St. Mary’s, nine unnamed MDC members have disappeared
and it is still unknown what happened to them. One hundred
other youth have been sleeping in the bush for fear of further
victimization after being attacked by a group of ZANU (PF)
supporters.
This case has now resolved, and it appears that the 8 persons have been in police custody
all along. However, there are other cases being reported, and it is worrying that this might
become a trend.
4.3.5 Intimidation:
Intimidation may seem like rather a mild form of human rights violation, but it must be
stressed that psychological torture is not a less serious form of torture, but is regarded as
torture in exactly the same way as any form of physical torture. Thus, threats can be very
serious from of torture, especially when there is a very high risk of physical torture and a
situation of extreme fear. It is very important to stress that threats to individuals can have
evern greater impact when issued or supported by senior members of the State.
Josiah Hungwe, the ZANU (PF) provincial governor in
Masvingo, threatened the residents of Masvingo with death if
they did not vote for ZANU-PF in the upcoming mayoral
election.
The case below illustrates the effects of threats upon a political party member when these
are issued by members of the State.
C.M. (aged 26) was terrorized and hunted by CIO agents, war
veterans and ZANU (PF) members on 7 March. He often
accompanies MDC MP Mutendadzanera. The victim has fled
to the bush.
Intimidation is not merely restricted to political party members as the case below
illustrates.
O.S. (aged 27), a teacher in Sadza, was forced to flee the area
on 22 March after repeated death threats from Inspector
Majora, which began on 28 February 2001. He fears for his
life and repeated victimization. In May 2000, he was forced to
surrender his MDC membership card and T-shirt by ZANU
(PF) youth, who had stormed into his school. They threatened
to assault and kill him. He endured abuses and threats at
daily ZANU (PF) meetings that he was forced to attend. He
could identify two of the victims as Desmore and ‘Squares’.
In mid-May the ZANU (PF) youths returned to the school and
ordered him to pay Z$5.000. He refused and fled for his life.
He returned from exile immediately before the parliamentary
elections and reported the matter to the Regional Director for
Mashona East at the Ministry of Higher Education. On 16
July 2000, six ZANU (PF) youths threatened him and his
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