February 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Analysis
In the month of February ZPP recorded fewer violations and these were attributed to the sudden
lull in military led retribution which saw many citizens assaulted, harassed and at worst
psychologically traumatized, leaving indelible scars of fear. Zanu PF activists whose names
have been withheld also carried out the military led retribution with the aim of disciplining
protestors alleged to be a progeny of MDC Alliance members. This follows the utterances of
the President at rallies to conduct witch hunts and crackdowns on CSOs and activists. A number
of members in the opposition MDC Alliance were still in hiding, fearing attacks and charges
that maybe laid on them. Following the utterances of the President, Non-governmental
organizations have been forced by circumstances to cancel some of their programming, as a
result; the operating space has become volatile and unsafe for most programming. The MDC
Alliance party is set to hold its congress in May 2019, with a view of resolving internal
legitimacy as there has been a lot of talk about the constitutionality of Nelson Chamisa’s
leadership of the party. Factionalism has reared its ugly head especially in Bulawayo province
where members are either demonstrating their support of either Chamisa or Douglas
Mwonzora. The latter has been accused of being used by Zanu PF against Chamisa. Such, traits
of factionalism were witnessed in the upcoming by election in ward 28 where there were 2
candidates positioned for the same council seat, the by-election is set for the end of March
2019. Pressure groups like Mthwakazi continue to lobby and challenge the Independent
Commissions to act on human rights violations accusing them of failure to bring to book
culprits of these violations.
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