Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
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Special Focus
In the month of March the special focus area considered equality and non-discrimination, political rights, freedom
of assembly and association, and personal security.
Freedom of Assembly and Association
In the month of March, ZPP recorded a total of 16 cases related to freedom of assembly and association. Midlands
and Manicaland provinces had four violations each, being the highest number, while Masvingo had three cases.
In Gokwe Kabuyuni, it was reported that Zanu PF continued to use chiefs and village heads to endorse their
candidates for the house of assembly and council seats. On 16 March 2023, it was reported that Chief Chireya called
all village heads and their committee members to a meeting where he instructed the traditional leaders on who
must be voted in as council candidates on the Zanu PF ticket in ward 5 and ward 27. This followed the transfer of
Chidora district from ward 5 to ward 27. It was said that he also spoke of an operation dubbed ‘restructuring of the
party cell structures’ where each village had to submit a list of its households who are Zanu PF members; and give
names of those who were said to be opposition party supporters. Village heads were told to force every villager to
attend the Zanu PF gatherings. If anyone missed the gathering, then their name(s) would be added on the blacklist.
As a result of the threats and intimidation most villagers regardless of their political affiliation chose to have their
names on the cell lists for protection and safety.
According to Section 58 of the Constitution, every Zimbabwean has the right not to assemble or associate with
others nor be compelled to belong to an association or to attend a meeting or gathering. The African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 10 states that, “every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with
others.” In addition, Article 11 states that, “every individual shall have the right to freedom of movement.” The right to
freedom of association is guaranteed under Articles 12(3), 27(2) and 28 of the African Charter on Democracy,
Elections and Governance.
MARCH 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
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