Violence, arrests reported
2002-03-10 23:41
Harare - The intimidation of voters trying to oust Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe continued on Sunday with human rights monitors and the opposition reporting arrests and beatings across the country.
The independent Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum said at least 58 people had been arrested by Sunday, the second day of voting in the country's presidential election, in actions apparently targeting opposition supporters.
They included 11 white farmers detained while helping opposition election monitors, two Britons and two Americans arrested on charges of having illegal radio equipment and dozens of opposition election monitors.
The forum said police and liberation-war veterans loyal to Mugabe had attacked poll monitors in several areas.
One of them was Joseph Dladla, who had his hands tied behind his back before being beaten by ruling Zanu-PF party supporters with iron bars and sticks, the forum said.
South Africa's independent e.tv television news showed grim images of Dladla and other victims of alleged ruling party attacks.
Their backs were livid with whip marks and some had gashes on their heads and arms.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), whose leader Morgan Tsvangirai has the best chance since independence in 1980 of unseating Mugabe, listed attacks around the country.
"The attacks appear to be systematically implemented and are clearly aimed at preventing MDC officials from observing the voting process in certain areas, increasing the potential for Zanu officials to distort the ballot," the party said in a statement.
It said the homes of several MDC supporters were firebombed in Mashonaland West in northern Zimbabwe, where police arrested several groups of MDC supporters.
In Harare, police looked on as Zanu-PF militia attacked people waiting to vote in Mbare township, the MDC said.
The party said MDC polling agents appointed to monitor voting procedures were arrested and beaten in Umbanje in rural Manicaland in the east of the country.
"The agents were severely beaten and had darts stabbed into their feet," the MDC said in a summary of political violence.
In other areas, MDC supporters had their identity cards destroyed to prevent them voting and suffered attacks by gangs of ruling party supporters, the party said.