Summary of Violations for January In January 2018, new victims of Organised Violence and Torture (OVT) were reported and documented from across the country. This figure includes seven incidents of infringement of political rights, five incidences of harassment and intimidation, three cases of assault and three incidences of denial of the right to food. . NB: The following notes should be put into consideration when reading these cases: § Human rights violations contained in this report are derived from statements made to the Forum’s Public Interest Unit, its member and partner organisations. § The identities of victims whose names have not been published in the press and are not public officials are protected. This is done in order to protect the victim from further violence, intimidation and possible reprisals. § The Report cannot be considered as the exhaustive record of all incidents of politically-motivated violence in Zimbabwe in the period under review. Nevertheless, every incident reported to the Forum directly or through its members is meticulously documented and included in the report. Table 1: Reported Incidents of OVT January 2018 Date Violation Violation Narration Number victims 15 July Violation of freedom of the media MDC Alliance youths assaulted freelance journalist Tamuka Charakupa in Chitungwiza, Harare. Charakupa, was assaulted following clashes between MDC-T Alliance youths and ZANU PF youths The MDC-T Alliance youths were part of a convoy of vehicles that was canvassing for votes for the party’s candidate, Advocate Maxwell Mavhunga. Four MDC Alliance youths accosted Charakupa as he took pictures of the clashes with his mobile phone. One of the youths snatched his phone. Charakupa’s spectacles were also broken in the process after he received a blow to his ear. He reported the incident to the police and managed to identify two of his assailants following Mavhunga’s assistance, resulting in their arrest. The suspects appeared in court on 17 July 2018 on charges of assault and theft. 1 of Perpetrator MDC-T Alliance Unknown ZANU-PF Supporters Unknown ZANU-PF Supporters Unknown ZANU-PF Supporters Unknown ZANU-PF 3