in an acute water shortage in the capital, while some individuals are using the opportunity to fleece desperate
residents (see fact sheet for more information on water shortages).
The Zimbabwean dollar keeps shedding value. In September the ZWL tumbled against the United States Dollar to
a high of 1:20 triggering the freezing of companies owned by Kudakwashe Tagwireyi by the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe. Tagwireyi a member of President Mnangagwa’s Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) is associated
with Sakunda Holdings, Access Finance, Spartan Security and Croco Motors companies listed for the freeze as
the Central Bank moved to stem the sharp drop of the local currency amid reports that the said companies were
responsible for the escalating rate.
National Aids Council (NAC) sent a desperate plea to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child
Care stating that they will soon run out of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) drugs as they were failing to secure
as a result of US$65 million owed to foreign suppliers. Shortages of such drugs may contribute to drug resistance
and jeopardize the health of many people. This is further heightened by the downing of tools by Doctors in public
health institutions citing poor wages and untenable working conditions.
In Bulawayo, some National University of Science and Technology (NUST) students were arrested on 24
September at the institution for staging a peaceful demonstration against the job action by lecturers. The students
were unhappy with the lecturer’s job action which affected classes for over a week. Police officers reportedly
crashed the peaceful march in its initial stages and arrested mobilisers, who were released by the magistrate’s court
the next day.
The death of former President Mugabe brought with it some human rights violations. ZPP recorded a number
of cases related to the passing of the former president. In Mudzi South villagers in Nyahuku, Ward 1 were coerced
into contributing money to transport Chief Goronga (Bornface Nyamande) to the Mugabe funeral wake. Chief
Goronga forced close to 3000 villagers to convene in Nyahuku Village and stated that each household must pay
ZWL4 to be channeled towards procurement of fuel for his vehicle. Villagers were threatened with unspecified
action if they failed to comply with the chief’s demands.
In Gweru on 10 September 2019, two Zanu PF members fought at Mkoba 14 Business Centre when they failed
to agree on whether the late former head of state should be buried at the National Heroes Acre or his rural home
in Zvimba. The same issue was also a trigger in Mudzi West on 14 September 2019 in Tapfuma village Ward 8