EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the reporting period, the Zimbabwe Peace Project documented a total of 141 human rights
violations across the provinces. The violations affected a total of 1382 victims of which 458 were
female and 924 were males, constituting 33.07% and 66.86% respectively.
The violations included threats of violence, politicisation and unfair practices in distribution of food
aid and agricultural inputs, malicious damage to property, assault, restricted freedoms of
assembly, association and expression as well as unlawful eviction. Other violations included
inhuman treatment, restricted access to social services, looting/pillaging, unjustified arrests and
sexual harassment.
The perpetrators of human rights violations were primarily affiliated with ZANU PF, accounting for
43.51% of the total violations. Other perpetrators included the Zimbabwe Republic Police (21.75%),
Municipal Police (8.77%), and traditional leaders (3.16%). Additionally, 12.63% of perpetrators were
unaffiliated, while smaller percentages were affiliated with the Citizens Coalition for Change
(3.86%), state security agents (1.75%), religious leaders (2.46%), and local authorities (2.11%).
ZPP always undertakes the naming of the perpetrators’ affiliate institutions in so far as the
violations were done with the perpetrators banking on the power or protection that they derive by
virtue of them being a member of a particular institution.
A provincial breakdown of human rights violations in Zimbabwe reveals a need for demanding
human rights accountability, with Manicaland Province recording the highest number of violations
at 34. Other provinces also reported notable numbers, including Matabeleland South (24),
Mashonaland West (18), Mashonaland Central (16), Harare (15), Midlands (11), Mashonaland East
(10), and Masvingo (9). In contrast, Bulawayo and Matabeleland North recorded relatively low
numbers, with 2 incidents reported in each province.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project notes with great concern the continued abuse of human rights in
Zimbabwe particularly in the context of partisan distribution of food aid and the restrictions of
freedoms such as access to social services, freedom of association and assembly and freedom of
expression. Therefore ZPP calls for urgent action from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission,
the police, and the relevant government departments, including the Department of Social Welfare
to address these concerns and promote a culture of respect for human rights.
Contents
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Key human rights violations..........................................3
Towards sustainable peace in Zimbabwe..................5
10 Steps backward..........................................................6
Provincial Outlook..........................................................7
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