#PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
HARARE
MASH
CENTRAL
Chitungwiza was the epicentre of violence in the month of June 2022.
ZPP documented more than 10 violations which were politically
motivated following the discovery of missing Citizen Coalition for
Change activist Ali‘s body in a disused well in Nyatsime Beatrice area.
The death of Ali triggered emotions and the deliberate delay by the
police to accelerate investigations and arrest the perpetrator resulted in
political clashes between Zanu PF and the CCC party. Tensions started
when Zanu PF Chairperson for Nyatsime George Murambatsvina made
false claims that Ali was a ruling party member before barring
opposition supporters from wearing party regalia and gathering for the
funeral in Nyatsime. This did not go down well with Ali’s family lawyer
Job Sikhala and other CCC activists who were bereaved by the tragic,
and painful death of their party member. On 12 June Zanu PF officials
reportedly stormed the funeral in Nyatsime and demanded that
mourners leave the place and go to St Mary’s instead (at her parent’s
home). The following day on 13 June CCC activists from Epworth were
attacked by Zanu PF youths. Reports indicate that the CCC activists led
by former Epworth Legislator Ethridge Kureva were attacked with
stones, whips and sjamboks as they disembarked from a vehicle. same
day Zanu PF supporters reportedly abducted at least 20 opposition
members and chased away her relatives after hijacking funeral
proceedings. In retaliation, CCC organised a mass memorial service in
Nyatsime and in the melee of angry ruling and opposition CCC youths
the home of Murambatsvina (Zanu PF Nyatsime chairperson) was burnt.
Properties at Chibanguza shopping centre were also destroyed by angry
youths who demanded justice for Ali. Zanu PF activists also mobilised
themselves burning the homes and properties of CCC activists Precious
Jeche, Audius Mukoma in Nyatsime, to name just a few. The wave of
violence persisted and police officers responded with arrests of suspects
associated with the violence.
The political environment remained tense in Mashonaland Central
Province. Zanu PF was at it again. The situation reached worrying levels as
the Zanu PF unleashed party youths in communities ahead of the National
Cell Day. The exercise resulted in gross intimidation, harassment and
discrimination of villagers and perceived opposition supporters. The
party deployed youths and forcefully assigned village heads to threaten
villagers and opposition supporters to immediately join Zanu PF or face
violent evictions before 2023. Chiefs were advised to work with the state
security agents and Zanu PF’s leadership to identify opposition
supporters in communities. The ruling party conducted regular meetings
in Muzarabani, Guruve and Mt Darwin districts. These meetings were
used as platforms to instil fear on opposition supporters specifically the
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). In messages disseminated in some of
the meetings, citizens were reminded of the 2008 bloody elections and
warned that history can repeat itself in the upcoming 2023 elections.
In Bindura district healthcare workers on industrial action were beaten
indiscriminately by the police for joining a nationwide strike by health
workers protesting over salaries and poor working conditions. On 22 June
anti-riot police officers reportedly stormed Bindura General Hospital and
wantonly assaulted nurses for demanding a decent living wage. The
incident happened when most public hospitals nationwide discharged
patients and closed wards as the strike entered day four with no solution
in sight.
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