By Gamuchirai Masiyiwa
MUZARABANI – As heavy rains pound over the Muzarabani area, those who fled here in 2008 after an upsurge in political violence are losing hope that they will ever return to their old homes.
Hundreds of Movement for Democratic Change supporters displaced as a result of political violence that characterized the 27 June 2008 presidential run-off in Muzarabani have not returned home since the time they left their homes for safety.
Their fears range from further victimization by perpetrators of violence who still hover around unscathed to fractured relations with fellow villagers.
Muzarabani, in Mashonaland Central Province is one of the known Zanu PF strongholds and political hot spots in Zimbabwe.
In 2008, the area was hit by unprecedented levels of political violence which among other things displaced hundreds of villagers. The area has an estimated population of 60 000 and is largely a cotton farming district.
According to locals in the area, Muzarabani means a frequently flooded area. In an almost similar style the area was flooded by political violence which left trails of destructed and deserted homes across the district.
According to a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDPMC), the displacement of MDC activists and ordinary voters in 2008 was not merely a by-product of violence, but was part of a systematic attempt to change Zimbabwe’s political landscape by driving people away from the wards they were registered to vote and to ensure that those affected by the abuses cannot return home.
An investigation into the issue of displaced voters in Muzarabani revealed that the majority of people who were displaced in the 2008 political violence never returned to their homes and there is no hope that they will return before an election is held.
President Robert Mugabe’s call for election in June 2013 indirectly means the political environment is conducive for an election to be held. Parties are gearing up for an election, but the question remains, are people ready for an election?
The environment in Muzarabani proves otherwise as there is no hope that those who fled in 2008 will return to vote for fear of a repeat of the 2008 violence.
In an interview with this reporter, Itai Charumbuka, a victim of political violence who later returned home after the 2008 terror campaign said he is still living in fear of a repeat of the madness.
“As of now the Zanu PF youths who terrorised us are on a low profile but they will be monitoring our movements. When the talk of elections intensifies they will ravage like fire.
The youths who allegedly intimidated people include Timothy Chitenda, Lovemore Mapoore, Leornard Chibaya, Reason Kadira among others.
“I am always in fear of what may befall me if elections come. I was once a victim and villagers were warned not to associate with me,” he said.
Medium Chidhindi (56) a displaced voter from Machaya Ward 3 who is still being haunted by the experiences she had in 2008 expressed no interest of going back home before an election is held.
Her homestead was destroyed by ZANU PF youths who were terrorizing people in the area. Her property was burnt down and her herd of cattle was taken to the ZANU PF base to feed the youths.
“I loved my rural home but I don’t think I can have the guts to go back there, I am rather safe here in the city. I had invested a lot in building my homestead but I lost everything I worked for in a few minutes,” she said.
Medium went back to try and settle again after the runoff but she was attacked again and left rural home for good. Her son Josphat Chidhindi (22) was attacked by an axe when he had gone to check on a few beasts that they had left in Muzarabani.
Chidhindi homestead has dilapidated and there is no hope of resurgence. The house was destroyed to the ground. Remains of property destroyed five years ago are scattered around the yard.
Norman Chamunorwa (40) of Machaya ward fled in May 2008 after his houses were burnt by Zanu PF youths. In March 2012 he would go back and start over but was told by his headman Bernard Chibaya that he no longer had a place in the village because he was a trouble causer.
“I was told by the headman that my field and stand were given to someone else because I was causing havoc in the village by supporting the MDC,” he said.
Norman was a registered voter in Muzarabani but he is now living in Harare where he found refuge after escaping death threats in his village.
Sitembile Chinzou (65) and her family fled from their homestead in July 2008 after being severely beaten and accused of creating a Harvest House in Muzarabani. Her homestead was burnt and an engine for one of their grinding mill was thrown into a well.
With experience being the best teacher, Sitembile said she will not go back and be a voter in Muzarabani. Sitembile said her husband, Freddy Chinzou passed on in February 2012 due to stress and the injuries he sustained from the beatings.
“My husband was the MDC chairperson in our ward. The Zanu PF youths said they had come to destroy the MDC Headquarters, Harvest House; we had created in the area. We were told to go and live in Britain with Tsvangirai,” she said.
Since 2008, Sitembile said she was unable to enjoy her conjugal rights with her husband who is now late because she sustained severe injuries after she was assaulted on her private parts and back.
“I was forced to open up my legs and was beaten with a baton on my private parts,” she said.
Zanu PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo refused to comment on the issue and did not give this reporter a chance to ask her questions.
“I have become reluctant with giving you comments because each time I comment you make me the headline. You want to use my name to market your newspaper. You can go ahead without my comment,” said Gumbo.
Villagers who were displaced in Muzarabani have not come to terms with the experiences they had in 2008. Without assurance that a recurrence of the 2008 terror will not see the light of day many have vowed not to go back to their homes.
Their lives have changed for the worst, their cattle, goats, chickens were slaughtered during the 2008 madness. They all confirmed that life is terrible in their new locations. And, hopes are fading fast that they will ever return to their old homes.
