local observers who were lawfully accredited by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) found
themselves being targeted for exercising their rights to freedoms of assembly and association. ZPP
recorded cases where local election observers were targeted by Zanu PF supporters through
evictions, threats to eliminate them and displacements. In Matabeleland North, on 14 October at
Filabusi Centre in Insiza South, it was reported that members of Forever Associates of Zimbabwe
(FAZ) identified as Comfort Zvandasara and Sindiso Siwela were threatening local electoral
observers and opposition agents accusing them of trying to push for a regime change agenda.
They reportedly made it clear that they were monitoring anyone who was an observer during the
2023 harmonised elections. In Uzumbamarambapfugwe Museka District., Privilege Mbofana and
Faith Matumbwe who were local observers during the 2023 harmonized elections were being
intimidated by Zanu PF Chairperson Mutsa Mbofana and Councillor Frank Tsikidzi. The political
activists accused them of associating with the opposition CCC party. It is said that a meeting was
convened on 16 October where they were interrogated for observing the 2023 elections.
Mbofana and Tsikidzi questioned them why they did not seek permission from Zanu PF first to
observe the elections before promising to punish them. Since then, the victims are reportedly
living in fear and Privilege has since left the village in fear of her life. A case on the right to
administrative justice was reported in Shamva North at Bata farm on October 1. Fadzai Muparutsa
who was a local observer during the 2023 harmonised elections was threatened with eviction by
Zanu PF district leaders Mr Muchowe, Libert Gadzino Muroyiwa, Blessing Mudede and Costa
Kufandirori who accused her of aligning with the opposition CCC. Muparutsa who reportedly
observed elections under the Institute of Young Women Development (IYWD) was told to choose
between staying in the village and leaving the village with her family on misguided accusations
that local observers are aligned to opposition political parties. A meeting was convened at Bata
farm by the traditional leadership (village heads) and some ruling party members who concluded
that Muparutsa should make a choice or leave the village with her family. Muparutsa’s husband
was also suspended from the party for allowing her spouse to observe the elections. In Mazowe
West, Chenayi Phiri was displaced at Germ farm for observing the 2023 harmonised elections.
Zanu PF chairperson Chinga Tsekwende reportedly threatened to kill Phiri and her family for
observing the elections and the victims left the farm in fear of their lives.