Human Rights Forum Report: Who was responsible? Mashonaland East Goromonzi Everson Gwamura, Paddington Zhanda, Herbert Murerwa, Noel, Soul, Tinashe, Swahili, Agnes and James Case 25: T.M. (Male) — 17 May 2000 We were forced to dig holes with our fingers and spit into them, swearing never to support MDC again. Later we were taken one after another for beatings. Everson Gwamura was taking us to the youths that we did not know. They were using electric cables, sticks and knobkerries to assault us. I suffered injuries on my back, buttocks, legs, hands, and palms. We were released around 4pm. I could not go and report for fear of victimization and when the police came I did not cooperate with them. Instead, I chased them away. Later I gave them the report and they referred me to Murehwa Hospital for medication. No arrests have been made so far. The injuries are still painful and I need some treatments. Case 26: J.M. (Female) 6 & 29 April 2000 It was on the 6th of April 2000 between 11 and 12pm, when I had gone for a drink at a local nightclub, that one Noel started pinpointing me alleging that I was a sell-out because I am an MDC supporter. They started pushing and shoving me and wanting to take me to their base but I refused. They were about 10 in number but the ones I can positively identify are Noel, Swahili and Agnes. I was hit on the head with an empty coke bottle and I bled profusely. Some of them started assaulting me with booted feet and open hands. I was saved from further assaults by a policeman. I went and reported the matter at Juru Growth Point but no arrests were made. In the second incident several of the Zanu (PF) supporters came to my house on the 29th of April 2000 at around 1:30am in a pick-up truck. Noel was there and so was Everson Gwamura, Soul, Tinashe and James. They were operating on instructions from Paddington Zhanda, the Zanu (PF) Mashonaland East Chairman. They forced their way into my house. They came purporting to be MDC supporters being assaulted by Zanu (PF) supporters. They then openly declared that they were in fact looking for me and wanted to burn all the MDC material that I had. They were armed with iron bars, chains and sjamboks. They started assaulting me and destroyed the bulb in my house. They ransacked the whole room and stole some of my property alleging that I was benefiting from the whites' property who were funding MDC. One policeman came to my rescue but he was assaulted and had his jaws broken. I later passed out and was taken to the hospital, together with the policeman, by an ambulance. I reported the matter on the same day but no action was taken. Mudzi Cliff Jezenga, Caleb Mushamba, Mandi Nyarambi, Simba Chirimuuta, Calvin Zvai, Nyasha Kashaka, Trust Mapaneshure, Laiza Jezenga and Joseph Ray Kaukonde Case 27: J.C. (Male) — 14 June 2000 On the 14th of June at around 2 p.m., a group of about 20 Zanu (PF) supporters came to my house and started ransacking it. They alleged that we were sell-outs. I was assaulted with anything they could lay their hands on to hit me. I was struck with a stone in the left eye. I know one of my assailants, Cliff Jezenga, who stays in my neighbourhood. My wife was also assaulted for being an MDC supporter and therefore an enemy to Zanu (PF). I suffered injuries all over my body and it took some time for me to recover, although I am still not fully better. Case 28: J.K.M. (Male) — 7 May 2000 It was on the 7th of May 2000 when several Zanu (PF) supporters came to my homestead in Mapanga Village and accused my family and I of not attending rallies in the village and of being MDC members. The started assaulting me and my wife and son. I managed to identify the following people: Cliff Jezenga, Caleb Mushamba, Mandi Nyarambi, Simba Chirimuuta, Calvin Zvai, Nyasha Kashaka, Trust Mapaneshure, Laiza Jezenga. The above mentioned (written statement) were using sjamboks and sticks to assault me. I suffered injuries to my head and right ear. I could not go and report the matter because of the threats I received and also the police were not taking action. I also did not seek medication because the hospital staff wanted a referral letter from the police if the injuries emanated from violence. I am still feeling some pain in both the ear and the head. 19