Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

From ROHR Zimbabwe Information Department

ROHR Zimbabwe has received a shocking report of an act of political violence from an MDC political activist who was brutally assaulted by state security agents in a failed abduction plot.

Julius Mutavira Gono (43) of ward 10, Chiredzi South constituency was heavily beaten in broad daylight, left battling for his life while his family and neighbors watched helplessly, a day before Christmas day. He was assaulted by three armed state security agents who drove at his house in Madzimure village, with a Nissan twin cab with unmarked plates. The incident is now in the hands of Chikombedzi police peace section case reference number 30/01/11 and the notorious CIO agents have been identified as Matambanadzo, Tinago and Magara all from Chikombedzi police station Chiredzi South constituency.

A medical report carried out confirms that Mutavira sustained internal back and leg injuries, a swollen red eye and he is still in need of further medical attention.

Mutavira told ROHR Zimbabwe that he was being targeted because of his political involvement with the MDC party. Matambanadzo told Mutavira that he was punishing him for the complaints he is receiving against Mutavira’s involvement in MDC affairs. Julius said he now fears for his life after Matambanadzo further threatened him that he will not live to see the next election.

The incident took place took weeks after the visit of war veteran Jabulani Sibanda to Chiredzi South, who is alleged to be on a country wide campaign to fan criminal activities of political violence against members of the MDC party.

Despite the fact that the case has been reported to the police, nothing has been done to see that justice takes its course on the perpetrators who are still roaming free.

ROHR Zimbabwe is raising serious concerns to the coalition government on the issue of prioritization of the security of ordinary people ahead of the envisaged elections against the backdrop of organized criminal activities committed with impunity during the orgy of violence in 2008 election violence. As human rights defenders we are grievously disappointed by the brutal conduct, unprofessionalism, lack of independence of the security agents and uniformed forces who are supposed to be the custodians of the enforcement of the rule of law and guardians of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

Politicization of security forces remains a major threat to the existence of peace in the rural communities. Cognizant of the fact that security agents played a pivotal role in the widespread state sponsored gross violation of human rights in the 2008 harmonized elections, ROHR Zimbabwe challenges the coalition government to carry out reforms to ensure the independence of security forces as agreed under article XIII of the Global political Agreement signed by the three principals.

We hold that if elections are held under the presently constituted law enforcement structures widely accused of being partisan, there is a danger of a precedence of March – June 2008 political violence.

For Peace, Justice and Freedom