KEY VIOLATIONS
Religious
Leaders
School Authorities
8.9
%
Other
Local councils
11,4
%
RS
Traditional Leaders
PERP
10.1
%
5.1
%
AFF
I
ION
3
%
24.1
%
ZANU PF
Supporters
LI
State agents
R
O
AT
AT
Government
officials
ET
2.5
%
0.4
%
13.1
%
Zimbabwe
Republic Police
ZANU PF
Leadership
21.5
%
RESTRICTIONS ON FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION
During the reporting period, 24 human rights violations directly undermining the freedoms of assembly and
association were documented demonstrating a systematic erosion of fundamental rights, and by extension,
citizens’ political participation rights. In Silobela, law enforcement authorities disrupted a memorial service for
Gukurahundi organised by the human rights group Ibhetshu Likazulu. The event was halted preventing
communities from participating in communal healing activities. Similarly, in Zengeza West, Chitungwiza, state
security agents unjustly dispersed a civic gathering organised by Students for Liberty Zimbabwe, despite
organisers having secured the required police clearance. Arbitrary disruption of lawful civic activities represents
an abuse of state authority and directly infringes on political rights, participation rights, and access to civic
platforms necessary for democratic engagement. In Bikita East, reports indicate the politicisation of a religious
and cultural space during a burial ceremony, where mourners were exposed to partisan political messaging by a
leader in the Zion Christian Church Mr Makuva Mutendi who identified himself as a loyal ZANU PF supporter. The
prelate went further to instruct his church followers to quit the church if they did not belong to ZANU PF. Such
imposition of political loyalty within religious settings also weakens community cohesion and violates the right of
individuals to participate in religious and cultural practices free from political coercion.
In Glenview, members of the ruling party have politicised access to water by requesting members to bring their
identity documents and be registered to join ZANU PF in order to access water at the boreholes. Conditioning
access to a life-sustaining resource on political affiliation or participation constitutes discrimination and violates
the right to water, the right to health, and the right to dignity. The situation is compounded by inconsistent
municipal water supply. Overall, the politicisation of essential services and civic spaces does not only violate
single rights in isolation. It creates a cascading effect, undermining socio-economic rights, civil and political
rights, and humanitarian protections simultaneously.
Report
Human Rights Violations
0774883417 0774883406
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