Record of Arrests of Mdc Tsvangirai candidates/activists.

February 2008

11th - Chitingwiza -1 MP candidate, 1 council candidate, 2 others.
14th – Zengeza 6 women arrested (illegal gathering) out on 100 m bail each.
19th -  Bindura 3 arrested. Sandra Shirikihavu ward 7 councilor beaten and hospitalized.
15th – MDC candidate in Rushinga, Edson Muwengwa, went missing today following several death threats. (as of 10th March he has not been seen). Police (Chitange Police Post and Rushinga Police station) in the area have not followed any leads provided. On 12th February, Zanu PF members led by Shingi Runhare went to the Muwengwa home and demanded to be shown where the candidate slept.  The same night his house was looted. The following day 13th Feb. Runhare held a Zanu PF meeting and told those gathered that "Muwengwa must be fixed". Muwengwa went missing after the nomination court.
20th – Mbare MDC activists Davison Panganayi, Tonderayi Mapiye – dist. Fliers.
21st – Mhondoro – Francis Dhlakama plus others arrested for trying to obtain voter registration details.
22nd – Epworth – Alabi Billiard, Gift Mukuwira, Kudakwashe Mukudo MDC activists arrested.
23rd – Hre Railway Station - Dread…… and his girl friend arrested whilst boarding the train for Mutare for Presidential launch – Dread made the MDC cd's. Released on 50 million dollars bail 26th Feb.
24th – Marondera – Muzhambi and Tenfera arrested for allegedly removing a Mugabe poster/insulting the President. Released pending court.
25th – Muzharabani -  Muchemwa Chihota ward election agent and Munyaradzi Nyama MDC activist arrested.
26th – Bindura - Tawona Chikona arrested on charges of  allegedly tearing down zpf poster.
26th – Chirimanzu – Daniso Nkomo Sec for Security, Patrick Kombayi Prov. Sec., Tinashe Shoko Dep Org Sec arrested on charge "writing vote Tsvangirai on rocks".
Later released on "wrong charge"!.
26th – Marondera – MDC Candidate Iain Kay's election agent now detained in police cells for allegedly insulting the President.
27th – Kwe Kwe – Helen Nkosana Mbizo Ward 4 council candidate arrested today for "holding a meetng without police permission".
27th – Mutare – Pishayi Muchauraya, MDC publicity and information for Manicaland abducted from his home by Zanu PF youths early in the morning. Sms received from him late in the afternoon saying he was at Old Mutare Police station being interrogated. Efforts to contact him by phone since have been fruitless.
28th – Pishayi Muchauraya (mentioned above), driver Michael Murapa and security Tendayi Kononda were on their way in the MDC Manicaland truck to visit a constituency. They stopped at a garage to buy some drinks. A new tractor with a trailer carrying about 40 Zanu PF youth saw their truck and parked in front of them to prevent them moving. The youth then set about the 3 MDC officials ripping off their Morgan Tsvangirai T-shirts, and beating them with fists and flat hands and kicking them, saying "you are on our territory". All their money was stolen as well as all the MDC files on constituencies, candidates etc. The three managed to run away into nearby bush where they hid for three hours while phoning for help and the Police. Two of the assailants were recognized viz Misheck Masukume and Peter Ngwarapi of Plot 20, Old Mutare. The Police RRB number 02588728 refers. Present when report being made were D/Cst. Ngunwende,  Insp. Chiyoka both of Law and Order section and also the Officer Commanding District Chief Supt. Gowo.
29th – 12 MDC youths arrested in Mbare doing door to door campaigning (which is no longer illegal). They were detained at Mbare Police station overnight. The lawyer ordered that they be released on Saturday morning as they had not committed an offence. However the Member in Charge, Mbare, Insp. MUGUTI kept the youths in custody until Sunday evening when they were released "no charge".

March 2008.

4th – Magunje MDC candidate constituency, Timothy Mutsunge was arrested, together with 17 others for distributing fliers and putting up posters. 22 riot police descended on Mutsunge and his activists and not only arrested them but 10 innocent civilians, as well as anyone in possession of MDC literature. It appears that the Member in charge of ZRP Magunje is working with ZPF candidate for that constituency Franco Ndambakuwa to frustrate the MDC campaign.  Mutsungwe was released on 100 million dollars bail and has to report three times a week at Magunje Police Station. Only 3 people were released as the bail money could not be found.

5th – 3 people arrested on Donhill Farm, Bindura – charge "putting up posters" – names are :- Mavhuto Chari, Lawrence Zhuwao and Luckson Dera.

6th –  Bindura 5 people appeared in court and granted Z$ 100 m bail.
6th – Dzivarasekwa Gripen Mukucha, Johnson Zaranyika arrested and charged with removing Zpf posters.
6th – Victor Simbarashe, Ward co-ordinator Chikomba East appearing in Sadza Court morning of 7th March – charged with holding an illegal gathering.

8th – Alfonso Zvenyika and Sibiyon Maredza were part of a group campaigning with Mbare MP candidate Pineal Denga on Saturday.  A group of Zanu PF youth began stoning the group. The Police stood by and watched as this took place and went so far as to warn the MDC people that if they retaliated they would be arrested. Alfonso and Sibiyon had to receive medical attention at casualty.

9th – Glen Norah, Harare – Enock Chikora, Tirivanhu Musara, Caroline Muchena, Gaya Muchena, Douglas Matandatya arrested for "toyi toyi".
9th – Epworth – Richard Tana and James Makuwe arrested for "toyi toyi".
8th /9th – There was a scene at Epworth over the weekend between Zanu PF youth and the MDC youth. Full details will be established today and reported in this bulletin.
10th – Chinhoyi – Peter Gwina, Stewart Mahonde, David Nhema, Tirivanhu Mapipa arrested.
10th – At 2.30am a message was received from Brighton Matimba, MDC Welfare officer, that two vehicles were parked outside his house. At 3am he sms'd to say there were men outside his window. There has been no response to his phone since then. (6am Monday).  He escaped over the back wall and is safe.

11th – Marondera Isa Madi and Eric Mdori were arrested, and detained for putting up posters.
11th – Chitingwiza – Lameck Choga, Phillip Mutoti, Isreal Chanyoredza , alleged assault.
11th – Bindura South Broadwill Nyahude (MP Candidate) and Kiliot Muchapondwa (councilor candidate) plus one other arrested on allegations of abduction and assault.
11th – Masvingo, Renco Mine MDC activists arrested for allegedly tearing down posters.
11th – Mabvuku – Bonifasi Yatamu, Shepard Madamombe, Abraham Kurimakwaramba, Simba Madamombe, Pasipanodya Mutimutema, Simba Zhuwawo, David Goriath, Anthony Muringisie, Norman Hanyani, Petronella Zambesi, Eskuri Tapera, Munyaradzi Kufamakutizwa, Muzondiwa Chiwaura, Fungai Agere, Bhebheya Moda, Tunga Motani, Standford Nhende, Kelvin Madhlazi all arrested for allegedly pulling down posters.
(All these people appeared in Court today (12th ) represented by ZHLR).

12th - Hwange - Gift Mabhena MP candidate for Hwange West, Charles Ncube Mat. North Chairman and Pretty Sibanda Chief Election agent of Mabhena arrested and detained under POSA Sec 25 - reported by Sibindi from Mutambara formation.

 

There is no law to preclude MDC activists/candidates/members putting up posters, distributing campaign fliers and doing door to door campaigning. This is a deliberate effort by state agents/Zanu PF to frustrate all campaign efforts. This is a repeat of the illegal and partisan behaviour of the Police in every campaign since 2000.  Their modus operandi – abduction, arrests, torture, murder. This cannot be allowed to continue.

2007

Purge Update 11 May 2007

1) JM of Kuwadzana (55 yrs) the father of 2 MDC activists was abducted from his home on Friday 23rd March at 11pm - he was abducted because they couldn't find his sons (note the pattern).  7 youths, armed with hand guns entered his home by showing their ZRP (Police?) ID cards.  They immediately started to beat him all over his body, accusing him of hiding his sons.  They then drove him to Darwendale ZANU PF office in silver twin cab. When he had been beaten they dumped him in the bush near the offices.  He managed to crawl to the local police station and then find his way back to Harare. It appears that he sustained a fractured leg and arm.

2) Last night the home of a local Marondera MDC campaigner was raided by the thug squad - as the person they were seeking was not at home, they abducted his son and nephew.  Word came this morning that the two young men were found in the bush between Mahusekwa and Harare South Club having been thoroughly beaten.  A vehicle was sent to uplift the tortured men, but they were so traumatised that they went and hid in the bush, obviously thinking that the vehicle belonged to the CIO.

A pattern is emerging: