Hidden camera catches Zimbabwe vote-rigging

[TrooperBari]

Video: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/04/zimbabwe1

Story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/05/zimbabwe

It was the murder of his uncle two months ago that convinced a young prison officer called Shepherd Yuda that he should risk his own life to bring to the world a first-hand visual account of life in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.

What he did not realise at the time was that he would also provide incontrovertible proof of exactly how Mugabe's men rigged the votes to ensure his election.

As he shot his clandestine film, Yuda was aware that it might never be seen in the outside world and that his reward could be nothing more lasting than an unmarked grave in the Zimbabwean bush. By the time he and his family were safely out of Zimbabwe yesterday, Yuda had a record of how the votes have been stolen and how those who have dared to oppose Mugabe fear daily for their lives.

The film shows how he and his colleagues at Harare Central prison had to fill in their postal ballots in front of a Mugabe supporter, how voters had to pretend to be illiterate so an official would fill in their ballots for them, and how terrified Zimbabweans were using felt tip pens to colour their fingers to pretend they had voted, lest they be murdered by Zanu-PF gangs.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

A good accompanying article....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/04/AR2008070402771.html?hpid=topnews

 

[zagoshe]

I think we should invade them.

We need to spread democracy and freedom.

Oh wait -- how much oil is in Zimbabwe?

 

[kingcreole]

I think we should invade them.

We need to spread democracy and freedom.

Oh wait -- how much oil is in Zimbabwe?

Outstanding.

 

[GB-Hack]

 

[buckweaver]

I've read some pretty mind-blowing stories from Zimbabwe the last few months -- not just because of the subject matter, but just in how great the reporting and writing was (especially considering the circumstances.)

Some amazing work being done there right now. Sadly.