2023
GEAR
UP!
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF party was responsible for
violating the majority of human rights across the country. ZPP
recorded 165 incidents in which the ruling party was responsible.
In the majority of these incidents, Zanu PF supporters were hounding
people they suspected had supported the opposition Citizens Coalition
for Change (CCC) in the run up to the March 26 by- election.
In the by-elections, the CCC- formed towards the end of January- put
up a noteworthy show , grabbing 18 out of the 26 contested House of
Assembly seats, a situation that appeared to have unsettled Zanu PF,
which immediately launched what appears to be a systematic
onslaught on those who had campaigned for, supported or
sympathized with the CCC in the run up to the election.
Since Zimbabwe is scheduled to hold a general election by July 30,
2023, the March 26 by-elections were a test of what might be expected
next year.
ZPP can confirm the existence of Zanu PF structures meant to
intimidate and silence people in rural areas ahead of the 2023 elections
and this is more prevalent in Mashonaland East, Central and West
provinces, where the organization has recorded a combined 77 cases. A
few examples include an incident in Murehwa North, where a Zanu PF
Councillor Masimba Gumira gathered villagers to celebrate his victory
in the 26 March by-elections. He then ordered the punishment of
anyone seen wearing yellow which is the colour of the CCC. He
threatened the loss of life of those who might want to deviate from
voting for his party.
“Watichaona akapfeka hembe dzeyellow tichamuita kafira mberi (We
will beat to death anyone we see wearing yellow)” said Gumira.
Gumira’s words cannot be taken as bluffing as people have been killed
in the past for simply associating with the opposition.
To confirm the systematic nature of the closing down of space for the
opposition, particularly the CCC, in another incident, Zanu PF
Chairperson Takesure Kashesha told party supporters at Duku
Business Centre in Ward 10, Murehwa North, to create a no-go zone for
CCC supporters in the area.
Kashesha ordered youths to mount road blocks and burn any unknown
or CCC vehicles attempting to enter Ward 10.
“Mota ichapinda muno yatisingazivi tichaipisa (You must burn any
unidentified vehicle that attempts to drive into Ward 10),” he said.
In Mashonaland West, a man was evicted from the butchery premises
he was renting for hosting a CCC supporters’ braai at the butchery
premises and in Murehwa South, a Zanu PF supporter made death
threats to a woman who had observed elections under the Women’s
Coalition of Zimbabwe.
One Ricky Chiwara told the female observer that by participating in
elections, she was part of the regime change agenda by nongovernmental organisations.
This unfortunate incident not only confirmed the toxicity of the
political environment for women, but also highlighted the deep-seated
attempt by the Zanu PF government to cripple the good work of NonGovernmental Organisations.
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