The reintroduction of subsidised garrison shops1 for the uniformed forces, with the rest of the citizenry
expected to make do with the expensive goods in shops comes across as an effort by the government
to appease the military power broker. In order to fund these shops, civil servants will have a 2,5%
deduction from their salaries for the servicing of a Government Employees Mutual Savings (GEMS)
fund. The civil servants have however been given an option to opt out of the fund.
There were fewer incidences of human rights violations by the machete wielding gangs after the
security sector conducted operations to deal with the menace. In Penhalonga, Manicaland province,
security agents conducted an operation termed “chikorokoza chapera” (the end of artisanal mining)
which however resulted in some innocent citizens being caught in the melee. The machete gangs are
still terrorising communities. In Chakari, smaller but cunning terror groups have sprouted under the
name “zvikuturu” (puppies) and they target women and vendors. In Kwekwe there have been reports
that rival gangs sometimes clash at Kwekwe Hospital thereby causing panic, fear and despondency
among staff and patients. In Chinhoyi a woman was murdered by her boyfriend who is a member of a
machete wielding gang.
On 19 February, the MDC youths embarked on a spontaneous protest in Harare’s CBD against the
deteriorating economy and were violently dispersed by the anti-riot police. Street battles were reported
and civilians who were not involved in the protest were also affected. On 29 February there were
clashes between anti-riot police and MDC youths in Chitungwiza. Zanu PF youths had threatened to
demonstrate at the MDC Deputy National
Chairperson's house in St Marys resulting in the
MDC mobilising youths to counter the move.
The clashes resulted in some civilians getting
injured. Roads were barricaded with stones and
tyres were burnt. The police responded by
throwing teargas canisters and indiscriminately
assaulting citizens. A total of 13 people were
arrested in connection with the violence. The
Zimbabwe Republic Police displayed heavy
handedness in dealing with these incidences.
Two teargas canisters were thrown into a house
in Manyame resulting in near suffocation of one
of the occupants.
Photo 1: A Chitungwiza resident holding a canister that had been
thrown into their house ©ZPP
The freedom to peaceful assembly and association remained a dream for citizens, particularly MDC
supporters as police banned some of the party’s planned rallies. On 21 February, the police banned
1
These are shops with subsidised goods and are located in army barracks
3