Zimbabwe victims of 2008 political violence threaten lawsuit

Nov 12, 2010, 13:49 GMT

Harare - A group of Zimbabwean survivors of political violence carried out by supporters of President Robert Mugabe in 2008 have ordered the authorities to take action against the perpetrators by next week or face a lawsuit.

Rights groups say the violence perpetrated mainly by supporters of Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the military between March and September 2008 left over 200 people dead.

Most of the victims were supporters of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who were attacked by Mugabe supporters after Tsvangirai defeated Mugabe in the first round of voting for president. The attacks ceased when Tsvangirai signed a power-sharing deal with Mugabe.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which is representing a group of 12 survivors of the campaign from Muzarabani, a rural area 300 kilometres north of Harare, says the fact that the attacks have gone unprosecuted has left survivors fearing for their lives.

'Failure to show any real progress in this regard, with a first report being expected by the 15th November 2010, shall result in our clients seeking the best possible legal remedies against the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Zimbabwe,' ZLHR warned in a letter to government.

The letter was sent to police chief Augustine Chihuri, home affairs ministers Kembo Mohadi and Theresa Makone, and attorney- general Johannes Tomana.

In a report the lawyers document several cases of murder, torture, assault, arson and theft by mainly Zanu-PF supporters in Muzarabani. All the attacks were reported to the police but none investigated.

Mohadi confirmed receiving the letter.

'Our lawyers are still looking at it,' he told the German Press Agency dpa.

Many ordinary Zimbabweans fear that some of Mugabe's supporters could resort to violence again to try to clinch a win when the country goes back to the polls.

Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai have been talking up the prospect of having elections next year.

'With the real possibility of elections being held in 2011, it remains a serious concern that the same perpetrators of the gross human rights violations will repeat their criminal acts against the survivors of the 2008 election violence, encouraged by the failure of the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) to bring them to account for their past violation of human rights,' the ZLHR said.

'For any future free and fair election to be held in Zimbabwe, it is imperative that members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police fulfill their lawful obligations and protect all persons within Zimbabwe from violations of their rights.'

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