PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
Mashonaland West
In
Mashonaland
violations
that
West,
Midlands
ZPP
reflect
documented
the
persisting
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rights
In April, ZPP documented five human rights violations in
political
Midlands Province, reflecting a notable decrease from
human
climate
of
a
14 the previous month. However, despite the reduction in
midnight,
numbers, the nature of the violations indicates ongoing
homesteads of two ZANU PF supporters, a male and that of
political tension and intimidation. At Gambiza Business
an
Centre,
tension,
impunity,
chilling
incident
elderly
and
that
female
simultaneously
disregard
for
occurred
villager
attacked
in
by
citizens'
just
after
Chimbaga
a
rights.
group
Village,
of
In
were
in
Chiwundura
interrogated
unidentified
residents,
constituency
demanding
ZANU
they
PF
youths
declare
their
assailants. Although the exact motive remains unclear, it is
allegiance to the ruling party. The orchestrated nature of
strongly
the
suspected
motivated,
another
stemming
troubling
collaboration
that
the
from
ongoing
case,
with
the
local
violence
factional
Municipality
ZANU
was
PF
of
politically
harassment
underlined
the
outside
the
in
Chiwundura area to avoid identification. Meanwhile, in
chairperson
cleanup
Independence
residents who did not attend the national Independence
Day celebrations. Using heavy machinery, including graders,
Day celebrations, accusing them of sympathizing with
the authorities cleared the fields without any prior warning or
the
consultation with the affected farmers, many of whom relied
movement.
on
deemed
those
crops
for
of
food
the
provincial
security
and
livelihood.
No
non-ruling
party
They
disloyal.
associates
figures,
vowed
These
a
verbally
Mashoko
Darlington
ahead
his
PF
smallholder maize fields in Alaska as part of a controversial
operation
and
ZANU
from
that
Chinhoyi,
Sesame,
in
fact
youths
Gokwe
brought
the
In
destroyed
reportedly
by
conflicts.
members,
were
was
threatened
perceived
retaliation
incidents,
opposition
against
though
those
fewer
in
compensation was provided to the victims of this destruction,
number, highlight the persistent use of intimidation to
and although complaints were lodged with the police, law
suppress dissent and control political loyalty. The forced
enforcement
pledges
officials
were
reportedly
reluctant
to
take
of
allegiance
to
the
ruling
party,
threats
of
action—illustrating a systemic failure to protect citizens from
retribution, and politicization of national events reflect
politically
serious breaches of constitutional freedoms, particularly
endorsed
abuses.
These
violations
highlight
the
freedom of association, expression, and political choice.
multifaceted nature of human rights abuses in the region,
where
political
rivalries
manifest
through
violence
and
economic sabotage. The destruction of livelihoods and the
use of intimidation tactics to settle political scores represent
clear breaches of constitutional protections.
Mashonaland East
In Mashonaland East Province, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented 11 human rights violations, reflecting
deepening concerns over political coercion, financial exploitation, and intimidation of citizens. In Mudzi North, villagers
over the age of 18 were compelled to pay a total of US$4 for purchasing a ZANU PF party card and funding the upcoming
Independence
Day
celebrations.
This
enforced
fundraising
was
orchestrated
by
local
village
heads
and
ZANU
PF
leadership, placing a significant psychological and financial burden on residents, many of whom are already economically
strained. Similar coercion was reported in Marondera West and although reluctant, the community complied out of
desperation due to hunger. In Wedza North’s Ward 13, village heads attempted to collect money from every household to
fund Independence Day events, leading to resistance from villagers who cited extreme poverty and inability to provide for
their families. While overt threats were not issued, villagers were warned of blacklisting from aid programs if they refused
to pay, an indirect form of coercion that violated their freedom of choice and right to assistance. These violations reflect a
pattern
of
politically
motivated
coercion
and
manipulation,
where
public
resources
and
national
celebrations
are
weaponized to enforce party loyalty. The use of threats, financial exploitation, and fear to maintain political dominance
not only violates basic constitutional rights such as freedom of association, expression, and protection from forced
political affiliation, but also erodes the dignity and agency of vulnerable communities.
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