used to take note of those who do not turn up for the event. On the same day at Rapid Farm in Ward 2 of
Marondera East, Obert Mashonganyika and 4 other Zanu PF youths forced villagers to take part in the
march which was to be held in Marondera Central. Mashonganyika, together with his colleagues, threatened
villagers with eviction from the farm if they did not participate. He reiterated that Zanu PF fought for
villagers to acquire land during the fast track land reform hence they were obliged to participate in the antisanctions campaign. A similar threat was also issued by Chimanimani East Member of Parliament Joshua
Sacco who said villagers in resettlement areas of Ward 1 and 7 should safeguard farms they were given by
Zanu PF by taking part in the anti-sanctions march which was held at Nhedziwa Growth Point in Ward 4.
Civil servants and school children in that Ward as well as in neighbouring Wards were also obligated to
join the march.
Anticipated Retribution for the poor attendance of the anti-sanctions march from across the country is
anticipated following indications made by disgruntled ruling party members. In Gweru, following a poorly
attended anti-sanctions march, Zanu PF provincial members have tasked their grassroots structures to
investigate the reason for the poor attendance. However, it seems some have already concluded that there
was sabotage by some of the members of the party who seem not impressed by the current state of affairs
in the country. In Mutare, the anti-sanctions march was also poorly attended, something that did not augur
well with former Zanu PF Councillor Cecilia Gambe who ordered party youths to chase away vendors who
were selling their wares instead of attending the march. Vendors reportedly closed their businesses and
opted to go to their respective homes than join the march.
Zimbabwe’s 11-15th Human Rights report presented to the 65th Ordinary Session of the African
Commission on Human and People’s Rights ( ACHPR) in Banjul, Gambia did much to give insight into
government’s narrative on the human rights situation obtaining in the country. The report, which was a
combined report covering more than 10 years, was submitted by the state without consulting or affording
other stakeholders such as Civic Society Organisations the opportunity to participate in the process as is
expected. When the Commissioners wanted to know the stakeholders who participated in the preparation
of the report the government listed the National Association of Non Governmental Organisations
(NANGO), the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human
Rights (ZLHR). Both NANGO and ZLHR dispute having been consulted or participated in the preparation
of the report.
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