May 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
should be given the skills and capacity to deal with rioters. They should also be trained to be
professional and non-partisan. The use of live ammunition as warning shots should be
discouraged and should be used only in limited circumstances of danger to public safety”. This
particular incident shows the urgent need to have these recommendations implemented to avoid
future loss of life.
Additionally, continuing economic challenges will likely trigger disturbances. Therefore
government should urgently address the economic challenges to avoid protests. As retailers
have effectively dollarised the economy, ordinary citizens are struggling to make ends meet
while earning RTGS currency which is losing value almost on a daily basis. This will likely
frustrate the citizenry leading to civil unrest. The long and short of it is that government should
and must not look at the civil society as enemies lurking in the shadows. An angry, hungry and
frustrated Zimbabwean is the one who will eventually rise and voice their frustrations. This
can only be tamed by drastic economic reforms which may likely be realised after an allencompassing National Dialogue.
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The continued economic decline is most certainly a matter of concern which must be arrested
and contained to avoid any possible triggers of unrest. ZPP will continue to monitor any
progress being made and particularly advocate for an all-inclusive National Dialogue to carry
the country forward.
We are a month shy of August 1, the anniversary for one of the deadliest days in Zimbabwe’s
modern history. Implementation of reforms recommended by the Motlanthe Commission are
going on at a slow pace. We urge relevant authorities to ensure much traction is gained in this
regard to show sincerity on the part of government in making sure this tragedy does on recur.
We are currently monitoring implementation of the Motlanthe Report Recommendations and
will soon release a report.
Residents of Masvingo West, Ward 12, Nemanwa Growth Point and King Mine near Mashava
were being encouraged to take Mozambican identity documents in order to go to that country
and vote is a matter under ZPP’s radar. The fact that people are complicit in a possible scheme
of vote rigging in the neighbouring country raises questions which ZPP will continue to
interrogate.
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