Mugabe supporters continue the killings

At least four bodies of MDC supporters, murdered in the on-going political violence, are decomposing at Guruve Hospital after their relatives fled their homes to seek refuge in urban areas.

The four were reportedly killed by suspected Zanu PF youth militia, war veterans and soldiers as political killings increase across the country.

Guruve hospital authorities confirmed they had four bodies of people killed in politically-motivated violence, which started soon after the 29 March elections.

The Standard had visited the hospital to confirm if the body of MDC activist Crispen Chiutsi, allegedly killed by soldiers in Chief Kasekete’s area in Muzarabani on 22 April, was still in the hospital mortuary.

"We still have Chiutsi’s body here," said one hospital official, who could not be named for security reasons. "You want to go and bury it? It might be dangerous for you guys since you said you are coming from Harare. There are three other bodies of people killed in Dande but the relatives cannot bury them."

"People from that area (Dande) need God’s intervention. They are torturing and killing each other like they don’t have any conscience," said the official, as he perused the mortuary register.

They would give monosyllabic answers and move away. The terrified villagers only chatted freely with people with whom they were familiar.

But even those who opened up advised the crew to leave the area as soon as possible before soldiers and Zanu PF youth militia noticed their presence.

"We hear the body (Chiutsi’s) is still in Guruve because his relatives fled to Harare," whispered one woman, who was selling bananas at Muzarabani centre. "It’s better you leave this area before you are noticed by the youths. They will gang up against you."

Several houses belonging to suspected MDC supporters have been razed to the ground around Muzarabani business centre and Hoya, 40 km to the east.

In Centenary and Mvurwi in the same province, war veterans and Zanu PF militia have reportedly gone on the rampage, torturing opposition supporters and setting their houses ablaze before chasing away the villagers.

Victims said more than 500 huts were burnt since 29 March in Muzarabani alone.

On Wednesday, war veterans and youth militia evicted more than 20 families from Chipanza and Goviti farms, accusing them of voting for the MDC.

They were given 10 minutes to pack their life time belongings and leave. More than 60 people are staying by the roadside along the Mvurwi-Centenary road because they have nowhere else to go.

On Wednesday night, the victims lit small fires with which to cook their supper and warm themselves for there was no shelter over their heads.

The fortunate ones managed to take along with them all they could grab out of their houses.

They had little radios, mats, wardrobes, beds and kitchen units strewn all over the tall grass.

Clever Chiusaru (38), an MDC activist at Goviti Farm, was forced out of the farm when his child, Taizivei (8), had gone to Chimurenga School in the neighbourhood.

"I don’t know if I will ever see her again. I can’t go back there because they will kill me," said Chiusaru, as he covered the younger child, Mercy, sleeping in the tall grass under a thin sheet.

Mercy was not only at the mercy of the weather but snakes, scorpions and wild animals.

Chiusaru feared the Zanu PF thugs would sell his household property and feast on the chickens and five goats which he left behind.

"They will slaughter my goats and feed themselves at the base," he said.

A 74-year-old grandmother was among over 60 people staying by the roadside.

"I don’t have anywhere to go. I have lived here the whole of my life. This cold will kill me today," she said wrapping her thin body with a thread-bare towel.