MDC learns of sniper plot
2008-05-05 00:09
Special Report
A classical music presenter for the BBC has been arrested and is in custody in Zimbabwe.
Magdel Fourie and Sapa-AP
Johannesburg. - Snipers in Zimbabwe are ready to shoot and kill MDC party leaders.
These were the words of MDC spokesperson and former MP Roy Bennett on Sunday after the party was told by informants in the military of a plot to murder those high up in the MDC.
Another MDC spokesperson said on Friday that 20 MDC members had already been murdered for political reasons since the March 29 elections.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said last Wednesday in Johannesburg that they had proof that the military was handing out weapons to youth militia members and "war veterans" in a terror campaign against the MDC.
HRW also said that MDC members were being kept in torture camps, assaulted and forced to declare their allegiance to the Zanu-PF.
"The MDC were informed that these snipers would also eliminate any opposition leader if given the opportunity," Bennett said.
In an attempt to escape night-time attacks, the leaders did not sleep in the same place for more than two nights in a row.
Shortly after they left the place where they had slept, it was destroyed so as not to be used again.
"The party leaders' family members are also tortured in their own homes so that they will provide information over where the leaders are to be found.
And if the don't co-operate, their homes are burnt down."
In the current climate of violence prevalent in especially the rural areas of Zimbabwe, there were 600 MDC members who were seriously injured, besides the 20 deaths.
- Die Burger