May 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Central at Nyamakwe Business Centre, Ward 16 Councillor Munashe Pwanyai told
beneficiaries to pay RTGS$3 or more in order to receive their aid. Chiedza Muvengi a member
of the Ward Development Committee further buttressed this point by stating that they must pay
up as they were lucky to get aid in the first place.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) successfully held its 5th National Elective
Congress from May 24-26 under the theme ‘Defining a New Course for Zimbabwe’ in Gweru.
The event was attended by Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, Chief Maduna and Ugandan
singer and opposition leader Bobbi Wine. The attendance of both chiefs at the Congress has
become a source of discussion vis a vis provisions of Section 281 Subsection 2 of the
Constitution that prohibits traditional leaders from participating in partisan politics and
furthering interests of any political party. The congress progressed peacefully and was
characterised by political maturity as losing candidates conceded defeat graciously and
congratulated their opponents. This is particularly commendable and a step in the right
direction considering that the nomination process was characterised by intra-party violence.
However, ZPP hopes that the conceding of defeat was genuine because if it was just at face
value then the disgruntled will start to rattle the nest in the future. Advocate Nelson Chamisa
won the uncontested Presidency, Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti and Lynette Kore were
appointed Vice Presidents. Treasurer General is David Coltart while Thabitha Khumalo was
appointed National Party Chairperson and Job Sikhala as the deputy while Charlton Hwende
is the new Secretary General.
Cyclone Idai survivors are reportedly having a torrid time in getting needed support from
government and related institutions. For example, Oliver Mabaira1who lost everything to
Cyclone Idai went to the Registrar General’s office in Chimanimani to get replacements for his
identity documents. He was told to pay for the birth certificate and when he went to collect it
the next day he was told to go and get it in Mutare. The District Administrator’s office had
previously made a commitment that survivors would be assisted to get their lost identification
documents free of charge.
In another case, two Chimanimani High School students were turned away from school on
opening day by Deputy Head Mr Mawacha for attending school without uniforms. Although
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Name changed to protect the identity of the victim
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