News / National Zimbabwe is quiet now, if there is trouble its MDC, claims ZANU by Byo24News 13 Mar 2011 at 05:43hrs | Views Opposition activists in Zimbabwe have told SkyNews that they are being targeted in a new round of "state-sponsored" attacks.The men said they were forced from their homes and beaten for refusing to support President Robert Mugabe. Their claims come amid growing international concern about renewed political violence in Zimbabwe."They broke my arm and then they started hitting me along my spine with a metal stake," Barnabas said, speaking at a "safe house" in Harare."They came with petrol to my house," another opposition activist Shingai told Sky News."They threatened to burn me along with my family, but instead they just beat me until I was unconscious," he said.The men said they were among scores of people who have been forced to flee their homes in the township of Mbare since the start of the year.Mbare - an area of crowded, run-down flats on the outskirts of Harare - has long been a stronghold of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).But this slum community has undergone a dramatic political conversion in recent weeks, with posters of Robert Mugabe plastered over every building. It is no longer safe to support the opposition in Mbare."If you support the MDC, they come after you and beat you," the local opposition councillor Paul Gorekore said."Even if people say that they will join Zanu PF they still beat them to be sure," he said.Mr Gorekore claimed the violence was "state sponsored" because the local police "colluded" in the attacks."Those victims who were beaten, went to the police to report it and they were arrested instead," he said.Diplomats have also pointed to high level backing for the renewed violence."I cannot say where in the hierarchy," US Ambassador Charles Ray said. "But it appears to be orchestrated, sponsored and backed by someone at a senior level," he said.What is happening in Mbare is reminiscent of the violence that swept across Zimbabwe in 2008, as President Mugabe used force to steal victory in the election.The MDC fears the 87-year-old intends to pursue the same strategy in the next election, which could be held as early as late this year.But President Mugabe's party officials insist that the conditions are set for an election that will be free and fair."Everything is quiet now in Zimbabwe," Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said. "If there is any trouble, it's being caused by the MDC." Source - skynews More on: #Activists, #Flee, #Homes, #Fear, #ZANU Comments
