Unrest in Zimbabwe Before Vote

Jonas has not slept peacefully for six months. He wakes at the slightest noise as he keeps vigil in a village he says has been cowed by political violence ahead of this weekend’s presidential elections.

The human-rights activist was one of only two people in Nkayi, a mostly rural region 100 miles north of Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo, willing to talk to reporters.

The run-up to this weekend’s contest, which pits President Robert Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF party against opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has been marred by political violence.

Jonas, who declined to give his full name for fear of reprisal, said gangs of pro-government youths had been beating up villagers perceived to be Tsvangirai’s supporters.

“People are very afraid because of the violence they have witnessed here. If these ZANU-PF youths see you talking to strangers they will hassle you about why you are talking to them. Some people have been beaten up and others have gone missing,” Jonas said.

Another villager said people in the area were also being forced to buy ruling-party cards in order to get basic foodstuffs that were in short supply.

“If that man [Mugabe] wins, we are finished,” she said.

Former union leader Tsvangirai presents Mugabe’s toughest challenge since he won power at independence from Britain in 1980.

His MDC has accused Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF party of attempting to steal the election and attacking its supporters and sympathizers. It also estimates that 107 of its activists have been killed over the past two years.

ZANU-PF has consistently denied it supports election violence and says its own followers have been victims of attacks by opposition supporters.