Murehwa residents forced to supply food for militia bases

By Tererai Karimakwenda
July 03, 2008

We received reports from the Murehwa district that villagers are being forced to ‘donate’ scarce commodities like maize meal, cooking oil and soap, to ZANU-PF’s youth militia and war veterans. Our contact, who chose not to be identified for his own safety, said the supplies are being stockpiled at the bases that were set up ahead of the presidential runoff last month. The militia at bases in Murehwa North district are looting livestock as well.

He described it as ‘the ultimate insult’ that people are being forced to feed the thugs who are assaulting, murdering and burning down the houses of their relatives and friends. Food items and basic commodities are very scarce and very expensive when you find them. The militia are taking advantage of the impunity they enjoy and stealing from people who have very little to begin with.

In Murehwa South the food raids have been followed by houses being burned down, especially in wards 19 and 21. According to our contact, the homes of MDC officials and polling agents were being targeted. On Monday the youth militia burned down the home of MDC activist Nhau Gibson.

ZANU-PF officials in Murehwa South are reported to have issued a directive that advises any MDC officials and supporters who have fled from their homes to return, if they are willing to ‘surrender’ their MDC membership and join ZANU-PF. The so-called conversions are done at meetings held in front of the whole village. This is where MDC supporters who have been abducted are beaten severely in order to intimidate the others. The District Coordinating Committee, led by a fake war veteran ZANU-PF thug named “Kashesha”, are conducting this campaign.