May 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
2019) against the Unites States Dollar. Fuel costs further steepened transport costs from
RTGS$1 to as much as RTGS $3-$5 for some routes such as Harare- Chitungwiza. This is a
further thorn in the flesh that consumers have to contend with and government sought to
address the matter by introducing Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses at a
fare of 50c. This has resulted in a heightened demand for the buses, yet they fail to mitigate
transport needs of the urban populace as the buses are only a few. This has been further
exacerbated by the decision to allow the RTGS currency to float freely against the USD and
the exchange rate be determined by market forces, with the hope that it matches and
subsequently stifles the parallel market. All these factors are severely felt by the consumer as
the little they earn is failing to sustain them.
Economic challenges have further heightened the sense of instability in the country. These
economic challenges will further incense struggling citizens and likely lead to unrest.
Conversely, government has reacted by increasing the presence of the army and police in major
cities, further heightening the possibility of a violent confrontation reminiscent of August 1,
2018 shooting of civilians and January 14-16, 2019.
Highlights
Politicisation of food and other aid continues unabated and this trend is sadly on an upward
trajectory. Needy people are deprived of food and other aid due to their political affiliation with
opposition political parties; on the other hand ruling party members are using the platform to
reward their supporters. For instance, on 23 May villagers in Hurungwe West were
categorically told that the maize distributed by the Department of Social Welfare was from
Zanu PF and Zanu PF members were entitled to receive their allocations first. This was
reinforced when party representatives ;Agrippa Musarurwa, Joseph Sande, Lucia Mupfudza,
Richard Chagwedera, Steven Makombarume and Richard Matenga were given first preference.
On May 12 in Rushinga Ward 25 a villager was denied registration for food aid distribution by
Daniel Kawodza a Zanu PF activist who told the villager to first register under Zanu PF cell
structures in order to be included on the list of beneficiaries.
In some instances, villagers are compelled to pay in order to receive aid which is freely
provided for by Social Welfare. In Mutasa North Ward 10, Chief Nyamande demanded that
food aid beneficiaries must pay RTGS$0.50 in addition to transport costs that they have already
been paying. Villagers were told that paying this fee would ensure they receive the aid. In Chivi
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