Human Rights Forum Report: Who was responsible?
Case 40: C.M. (Male) — April 2000
I was approached by some Zanu (PF) supporters, namely Richard, Ngoni and Lameck, Shupikayi and Alfred
Bhozo. The group accused me of being an MDC supporter. They further alleged that I was in possession of an
MDC t-shirt and party card. I was ordered to surrender these or face imminent assaults. I failed to comply and was
then assaulted with clenched fists, booted feet and sjamboks. Three police officers attended to the scene but were
overpowered by Zanu (PF) hooligans. I was forced to attend re-education camps at night under protest.
Ernest Kaurungaire
Case 41: G.D. (Male) — 23 March 2000
On March 23 at about 6am a group of war veterans led by Karungaire entered Nikotijani Farm and demanded a
Zanu (PF) card from me and when I failed to comply they beat me severely. I was assaulted with logs, sjamboks,
open hands, clenched fists and booted feet. I made a report to the police but no arrests were made.
Joseph Masenda
Case 42: J.M. (Male) — 7 April 2000
On the 7th of April 2000 I was at work at Protea farm when Joseph Masenda, who was leading a group of three
Zanu (PF) supporters (arrived). He commanded me to leave my workplace and join others who had been forced to
attend a rally at the same farm. I tried to lock up the gates at my workplace but he pulled me and poked me with a
knobkerrie ordering me to rush for the meeting. When we arrived at the meeting he ordered me to poke my finger
into the ground and to start running in circles. I failed to do it "properly" according to him so he shoved me against
a car and bashed my head against it. The same Joseph and three others went and assaulted our tractor driver for
not taking heed of their warning to stop the engine. They used a knobkerrie to assault him.
Mashonga, Norman Josaya, Rwodzi, Mupamombe, Netsai Mabhunumuchapera and Moyo
Mashonga, Norman Josaya, Rwodzi and Mupamombe operated a base at Hestcheth Farm and used it as a
springboard of terror for workers on that farm and within the surrounding area. Money was extorted from
the farmworkers and was said to be for Zanu (PF) cards, which would buy them protection. However, the
cards were never delivered even though the farmworkers had paid for them. Many were later beaten for not
carrying the cards. The militia held what they called „re-education‟ camps and dragged farmworkers out of
their houses to attend. Those who failed to attend these all night meetings were punished through beatings.
Case 43: M.C. (Male) — 17 May 2000
At around 12am some of the youths came and forced us to go to their base where the group was being led by
Mupamombe. The leader then told us that he was going to pick one of us to replace the injured youth at the base.
We were ordered to lie prone and roll over while they poured water over us and beat us with sticks if we did not roll
fast enough. This continued for about two hours. One of them, Norman, then started assaulting us under our feet,
"falanga". One of the war vets came to our rescue and we were released. After about two weeks the same person,
Norman Josaya, came and assaulted us for not possessing Zanu (PF) cards even though they had collected money
meant for the purchase of cards and then failed to deliver them. I could not go and report due to threats made by
the assailants and the police were also not taking any action.
Case 44: S.B. (Male) — 17 May 2000
On the 17th of May war veterans addressed a gathering at Hestcheth Farm. At the meeting farmworkers were
urged to revolt against their employers and to repossess land. At about midnight, together with other young
farmworkers, we were summoned to the base at the farm where the war vets were camped. There I was assaulted
all over the body for failing to produce Zanu (PF) cards even though we had paid for them and they had never been
delivered. I sustained multiple injuries. S.B. identified Norman Josaya, Rwodzi, Mupamombe, Mashonga and
Moyo as his assailants.
Case 45: P.S. (Male) — 14 May 2000
On the 14th of May I was approached by war vets who demanded a Zanu (PF) card from me and when I failed to
produce this I was ordered to stick my penis in the soil and girate until I masturbated. When I failed to do this I was
hit with a stick on my penis. I was refused access to medication as further punishment. I was threatened with harm
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