METHODOLOGY
This report is based on reports from ZPP long-term community based human rights monitors who observe,
monitor and record cases of human rights violations in the constituencies they reside. ZPP deploys a total of
420 community-based primary peace monitors (two per each of the 210 electoral constituencies of
Zimbabwe). These community-based monitors reside in the constituencies they monitor. They compile
reports that are handed over to ZPP provincial coordinators who man the different ZPP offices in the ten
administrative provinces of Zimbabwe. Upon receipt and verifications of the reports from the monitors, the
provincial coordinators compile provincial monthly monitoring reports, which are then consolidated at
national office into the ZPP monthly monitoring reports published in retrospect.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report covers recorded incidents of civil and political rights violations from the ten provinces of
Zimbabwe for the month of May 2015. The report also covers food and other aid violations in all
provinces. The focus in May was on the 10 June 2015 by-elections which were called in 16
constituencies across the country. The by-elections were boycotted by the main opposition party
MDC-T as well as the MDC Renewal team. The non participation of the main opposition meant that
in some constituencies Zanu PF had little or no challenge. The ruling party sought to make inroads in
urban constituencies of Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare which for a long time have been strongholds
of the opposition MDC-T. The by-elections were necessitated by the expulsion from the august
house of 21 MDC Renewal team members and two former Zanu PF members, Temba Mliswa and
Didymus Mutasa. The ruling party was determined to retain the seats held by former members
within the party.
Zanu PF supporters wielding sticks and invading Mliswa’s Spring farm in Karoi
As soon as Mliswa successfully filed his papers with the Nomination Court as an independent
candidate for Hurungwe West political violence set in Hurungwe West was turned into a war zone as
the ruling party unleashed youths who terrorized villagers and turned schools into campaign bases
thus disrupting schooling activities. The violence targeted those suspected and known to support
Mliswa including traditional leaders some of whom were assaulted at a campaign rally where battle
lines were drawn and tactics of unleashing violence through traditional leaders were stated by Zanu
PF Secretary for Administration Ignatious Chombo (audio available) and Central Committee member
Phillip Chiyangwa when they descended on the constituency to drum up support for Zanu PF
candidate Keith Guzah.
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