Matebeleland North
Most violations noted were in Tsholotsho North and were in relation to the June 10 by-election.
Several cases of vote buying, intimidation and abuse of state resources were recorded. Village heads
and other traditional leaders were in the forefront of threatening villagers with eviction and denial
of food aid should they not vote for Zanu PF candidate Professor Jonathan Moyo. This was not the
first time that citizens had been threatened with denial of food in a campaign. In the run up to the
Chirumanzu Zibagwe by-election held on March 27 VP Emmerson Mnangagwa said those who were
thinking of voting against Zanu PF should be careful as a perimeter wall would be constructed
around them so that they do not access any food aid. Zanu PF intra-party fights continued and
reports of former officials who were kicked out allegedly for belonging to the Mujuru camp refusing
to hand over cars were also recorded. In Victoria Falls which is Hwange West constituency there is
ongoing work to upgrade Victoria Falls International Airport and locals are complaining bitterly that
they are not being recruited even for menial work.
Like in Hurungwe West the campaign in Tsholotsho North also used traditional leaders to instil fear
in the electorate by convening campaign meetings where the chiefs declared their allegiance and
appealed to their subjects to vote for Zanu PF.
In direct violation of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Sports Minister Andrew
Langa accompanied Professor Moyo the Zanu PF candidate in Tsholotsho North and held a sports
gala at Sipepa Business Centre. Here the two demanded that people vote for Zanu PF and gave
sporting equipment to various teams with promises of further donations after the elections if the
Professor won.
Matebeleland South
Most cases reported in Matebeleland South were incidents of threats of beatings and intimidation.
As intra-party purges escalated within Zanu PF three meetings and demonstrations were held in
succession in Filabusi and Gwanda where local Zanu PF leaders organised protests against Sports
Minister Langa. The demonstrators were clamouring for his dismissal from the party, parliament and
ministerial post. Langa was accused of being a gamatox. Serious conflicts also arose in Insiza North
at Lockard resettlement where those accused of having acquired land through Minister Langa’s
assistance were given notice to vacate their plots by end of June 2015.
FOOD AND OTHER FORMS OF AID VIOLATIONS
Mashonaland Central Province
Councillors in Rushinga discriminated against supporters of other parties when Zimbabwe National
Road Administration (ZINARA) sponsored the clearance of trees for road construction. A meeting
held at Dongoma Primary School was addressed by ward 11 councillor who clearly stated that those
to be employed were Zanu PF supporters who had demonstrated allegiance to the local leaders. The
meeting was held on 18 May 2015.
On 26 May Zanu PF members Joseph Nyambani and Tinei Mbewe denied a victim irrigation support
at Fox farm. The victim and other people denied participation in the irrigation scheme were labelled
opposition members.
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