May 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
the students narrated that they lost everything during Cyclone Idai the Deputy Head allegedly
told them "this is not a cattle herding place" before turning them away.
On the 5th of May in Zaka North Ward 10, Zanu PF chairperson Piki Pirato told all Ward 10
villagers specifically those that had been affected by Cyclone Idai to travel to Mandhloro Clinic
in Ward 5 to receive aid. On arrival the villagers found others gathered there and realised that
it was actually a celebration for the victory of Zaka North legislator Robson Mavhenyegwa in
the 2018 elections. The villagers were misled in order to boost numbers as Masvingo Provincial
Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira was in attendance. This angered villagers as they had to
endure the day long celebrations without food.
In Chimanimani East Ward 15 survivors expressed concern that they had not received food for
quite some time. On May 7th the District Administrator John Misi visited the survivors’ tents
before a ZBC TV interview, allegedly telling the victims to say they were happy before the
media interview, despite the fact that they had received neither food nor foam rubbers to sleep
on.
Teachers and Teacher Labour Union Representatives are reportedly being harassed and
intimidated to deter them from a looming strike that they advised government of. In Mutasa
Central Ward 15 a war veteran Joseph Mupfururirwa of Nenjerama village in Ward 15 went to
Sherukuru Primary to intimidate teachers and deter them from participating in the impending
strike. Mupfururirwa and the Headmaster Mr Wonder Dube threatened teachers, stating that
anyone who participated in the industrial action would be noted and their name handed over to
Zanu PF offices and later sanctioned. The war veteran apparently was reacting to the
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe’s notice to go on strike from 3 June.
Zanu PF Mazowe Central legislator Sidney Chidamba on 25 May told villagers during his
victory celebrations held at Nzvimbo High School (Ward 11), that his party will respond with
violence on demonstrations organised by opposition parties. He further warned civil servants
to desist from participating in demonstrations or strikes in order to secure their jobs.
Vendors, Municipal Police and Zimbabwe Police Service (ZPS) running battles are a real
cause of concern which needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. On 11 May a male vendor
was shot by police during vendor raids in Harare Central Business District around Robert
Mugabe Way and 4th Street. Police details were reportedly clearing the area of vendors who
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