MUREWA - Soldiers who terrorized villagers in the run up to the sham June 27, 2008 Presidential elections, were officially redeployed last week Tuesday, The Zimbabwean has learnt.
Highly-placed sources at the Army Headquarters revealed that senior officers, who led the disbanded Operation Maguta, attended a constitution making tactical briefing at KG6 Barracks last Tuesday.  
“A tight army network with structures across the country was put in place to help influence outcome of the constitution. Soldiers were redeployed in their home areas to force people to comply with expectations of Zanu (PF) in the constitution making process and eventual elections. Zanu (PF) believed violence assisted Mugabe to retain power in June 2008 and the strategy would yield good results again,” said the source.
Redeployment of the army has resulted in soldiers who terrorized people in the past, resurfacing in villages in Murewa and Mutoko.
Following the army meeting last Thursday, Zanu (PF) supporters held a secret meeting at Zihute Hall here, and resolved to step up violence against supporters of MDC opposed to the Kariba Draft.    
The presence of Zimbabwean and Chinese Soldiers at Mudziwegondo Mountain in Matongorere Village, ward 9, has heightened fear among people. The combined forces regularly drive around villages in Toyota Land Cruisers, the type used in Presidential escorts. Other soldiers were addressing rallies warning villagers of consequences should the constitution making go wrong. In Murewa North the army violence campaign is led by a Colonel Chinete.
“We will not participate freely in constitution meetings for fear of military reprisals. Judging from June 2008 violence we have every reason to fear for our lives. MDC supporters were brutalized by the army for voting Morgan Tsvangirai. Soldiers also opened fire into Berengoma Mountain in Charehwa area, Mutoko, where villagers had sought refuge from army terror campaign. Terrified villagers were eventually driven off the mountain and severely assaulted by the army,” said a villager at the Mutoko Centre.

By The Zimbabwean