Martha Matashu (not real name) lost her husband to political violence on 29 May 2008 when he was assaulted at his home. Three days before the assault, Matashu’s husband had been severely assaulted at a base at Kachombo business centre where he and his wife were forced to surrender their MDC membership.

Three years later on, in a Zimbabwe which celebrated 31 years of independence from colonialism, Matashu cannot leave her home, receive visitors or make any contact with people without informing the Zanu (PF) ward chairman of her movements.

18 people were killed in Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe during the 2008 election violence. Horrendous narratives of brutality were mainly reported in Pfungwe. An assessment by Heal Zimbabwe revealed that the communities are still in a state of hostage and the high sounding wishes and promises contained in the Global Political Agreement remain a pipe dream. It is not a coincidence that the notorious army General, Douglas Nyikayaramba and the dreaded Zimbabwe Prisons Commissioner Paradzai Zimondi hail from this part of Zimbabwe.

Two women, Grace Chari and Stella Karimatsande were gruesomely murdered in Uzumba and Pfungwe respectively when the perpetrators failed to locate their husbands. These gruesome acts were also reported in other areas where women were used as bait to get to the husband. Close to ten women were allegedly sexually harassed by a member of the uniformed force identified as Claudius Mashoko who was stationed in Pfungwe under the Maguta project. In spite of the undertaking by Government through article xviii of the Global Political Agreement to expedite the prosecution of perpetrators of violence, Claudius Mashoko is yet to face prosecution and the survivors of the violence continue to face further harassment.

Villagers in the strictest confidence and most secretive of disclosures narrate how in Pfungwe at one of the bases close to Museka primary school everyone was forced to attend the night vigils with suspected MDC supporters being assaulted in front of everyone as a way of “teaching them a lesson”.

Can elections be possible under these conditions? With communities so traumatized, can they freely participate in an election and celebrate the freedom and independence to elect leaders of their choice? Can we not change the mentality of our leaders and their political parties to realize that power resides in the ordinary citizens of this country?