METHODOLOGY
This report is based on reports from ZPP long
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
based primary peace monitors (two per each of the 210 electoral
constituencies off Zimbabwe). These community
community-based
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 recei
receipt
pt 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
The month of October saw intra-party fights remain
remaining a major driver of conflict as the major political
parties (Zanu PF & MDC-T) contin
continued their internal power struggles ahead of their
ir respective
elective congresses. The ruling Zanu PF party topped in these internal fights as opposed to MDC-T’s
MDC
high during the month of September.. In Zanu PF, conflicts were mainly characterised by hate speech
with episodes of verbal and physical clashes stemming from the First Lady Grace Mugabe’s ‘Meet the
People Rallies’ while the MDC-T
T internal fights portrayed similar characteristics but at a smaller
small
scale.
250
200
229
188
196
193
195
Here are a few examples of statements
ements made by the
First Lady at her rallies held throughout the
country’s 10 provinces that the ZPP believes have
the potential to incite political violence in the near
future.
150
100
50
0
1
“Ndakati munhu iyeye anotungamira factionalism
tirikuda
kuti
mumuite
baby
dumping.
Mukasamudumper isusu tichamudumper... Tonomudumper mustreet ogodyiwa nemagora nekuti kana
takuita expose kana nhunzi chaidzo ukange wafa apo hadzidi kutombosvika padhuze newe.............
kana imbwa chaidzo dzinenge dzakutotya kusvika padhuze (I told Baba (President Mugabe) to ‘baby‘baby
dump’ that person who is spearheading factionalism in this province (Mashonaland C
Central.
entral. I told him
that if he does not dump the person, we will dump the person on the streets to be devoured by wild
cats and once the person is exposed house flies and even dogs will be so disgusted they will not get
anywhere near the person).
June
July
August
September
October
“Mai Mujuru’s
uru’s combination with Kaukonde is pathetic; she surrounds herself with political
prostitutes. Kaukonde is a Mujuru agent, manje ndakamumaka (I am watching him!) big time. Iko
kaye ndiko kane demon, (That one –Kaukonde
Kaukonde- has a demon)”.
Although political leaders
eaders continued to fight at the national level, the levels of political violence
remained restrained throughout the country with a total of 19
195 cases having been recorded during the
month under review a case higher than the 194 recorded in September 2014. The
he Midlands and
Mashonaland Central provincess continued trending high on the number of violations with 68 and 35
cases of politically motivated violations respectively.
Verbal violence involving Zanu PF internal leadership fights saw leaders such as the party
Chairperson S.K Moyo telling all “who are not spokesperson(s) to shut
shut-up”.. The Zanu PF National
Chairperson’s comments came
me amid clear
divisions within the party over what transpired Figure 1: Intra-Party Violations - October 2014
during an emotive politburo meeting on 1
October 2014,, convened on the backdrop of
open war over the party’s succession issue ahead
60
42
of the congress set for December.
40
19
20
2
0
MDC-T
ZANU PF