Discrimination and violation of political rights
ZPP recorded 17 cases of discrimination based on political affiliation and
other cases of neglect and violation of political rights including forced
attendance of political meetings, forced affiliation and intimidation for
political support. On 9 November at Kadzunge Ward 6 of Zhombe in
Midlands, headman Charles Kadzunge reportedly threatened to evict all
supporters of Citizen Coalition for Change activists from the village.
Headman Kadzunge intimidated the villagers during a meeting that
sought to register citizens from the Pfumvudza farming scheme denying
them access to government-sponsored farming inputs. Kadzunge
remarked that CCC members are retrogressive and tarnish his village
and hence they need to be punished and evicted. The headman’s acts
denies the victims their rights to enjoy their civil and political rights
without any fear. In another case recorded on 3 November at Masvingo
West ward 33, Headman Bere forced teachers to participate in ZANU
PF's ‘Thank You Rally.’ It is reported that Bere warned teachers that
those that fail to attend shall be removed from the beneficiary list or
transferred out of the school. He further told teachers that they had the
duty to vote for and support ZANU PF.
Recommendations
ZPP recommends that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission should
investigate the allegations of partisan allocation of farming inputs where
government-sponsored programmes are aimed at benefiting all citizens
and supporting disadvantaged households regardless of their political
affiliations. ZPP further recommends that traditional leaders should desist
from fronting political parties and discriminating against villagers based
on their partisan affiliations.
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