The perpetrators were again similar to those frequently reported in Zimbabwe, especially
during elections when Zanu PF supporters tend to be the most commonly reported group of
perpetrators.4 However, there is the unusual feature of a very high percentage of members of
the Zimbabwe National Army [ZNA] reported, which is uncommon and accords with the press
reports of the ZNA being intimately involved in the violence.
Perpetrator
Number [%]
CIO
2 [3%]
War veteran
5 [8%]
Zimbabwe National Army
12 [19%]
Zimbabwe Republic Police
11 [17%]
Zanu PF supporter
50 [78%]
The victims gave a large number of names of their alleged perpetrators, with a total of 167
individuals being named at least once, and a significantly high number [13%] being
mentioned more than once. This strongly supports the allegations of a planned and
systematic campaign of violence. The names of the perpertators and the districts from which
they operated are available on request from the authors of this report.
6. Political violence or crimes against humanity
Whilst it is evident that political violence has been taking place in the aftermath of the 2008
election, it is important to examine this carefully. There are some reports of violence being
perpetrated by supporters of the MDC – the Zimbabwe Herald alleges that 75 supporters of
the MDC have been arrested for political violence- but the reports nonetheless suggest that
these are largely of two kinds: violence occasioned by the frustrations experienced due to the
non-release of the results of the Presidential poll, as well as retributive violence for the
attacks being made on MDC members.
4
See Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (2000), Who is responsible? A preliminary analysis of pre-election
violence in Zimbabwe, HARARE: ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM.; Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
(2001), Who was responsible? A consolidated analysis of pre-election violence in Zimbabwe, HARARE: ZIMBABWE
HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM; Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (2002), “Are They Accountable?: Examining
alleged violators and their violations pre and post the Presidential Election March 2002”, HARARE: ZIMBABWE
HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM.
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