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Mashonaland Central
In Mashonaland Central, Zanu PF was forcing villagers to surrender their
national documents (birth certificates and identity cards) to traditional
leaders. It remained a mystery as to why traditional leaders were
assigned to withhold citizens’ national registration documents. The
ruling party organised various ward meetings where citizens were
threatened with violence if Zanu PF loses the 2023 general elections. In
these meetings, citizens were reminded of the 2008 post-election
atrocities which characterised the killing of more than 200 opposition
supporters. Traditional leaders particularly village heads, kraal heads,
and village secretaries in some communities were compiling lists of
opposition party supporters ahead of the 2023 elections. The ruling
party’s 2023 campaign drive is characterised by gross intimidation and
harassment of citizens in communities. Perceived opposition supporters
were threatened with unspecified action resulting in many people living
in fear. The province also recorded cases where citizens were forced to
contribute in cash and kind in the form of mealie meal and cooking oil
towards the Heroes’ Day commemorations. Defaulters were threatened
with denial of government aid. In addition to all these dilemmas, cases of
intimidation and harassment of citizens were on the rise in Mashonaland
Central. In August ZPP recorded 16 cases of harassment and
intimidation, an increase from 12 cases recorded in July. These cases
were linked to traditional leaders violating the freedoms of assembly
and association of political opponents and ordinary citizens.
ZPP recorded a case on the right to administrative justice in Guruve
North at Muzambia farm under Chief Bepura’s jurisdiction. Reports
indicate that villagers at the farm were forced to surrender their national
identity documents by village heads following an instruction allegedly
issued by Zanu PF. It is said that from 5-12 August village heads
conducted various community meetings where they made villagers
surrender their identity cards. They reportedly informed villagers to
adhere to the request citing that the initiative was an instruction from
Zanu PF. Many people surrendered their IDs out of fear. However, it
remains a mystery as to why traditional leaders were assigned to
withhold citizens’ documents.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report