23
Bulawayo
The month under review was shaped by various episodes most likely to impact the
electoral landscape as the 2023 elections loom.Firstly, political intolerance continues
to divide the citizens. In Sizinda, Bulawayo South constituency, a citizen was
intimidated for wearing PF Zapu regalia. He was told that members of PF Zapu
deserve to be beaten for disrespecting the government. The failure of citizens to
tolerate each other’s political views results in conflict and violence. A similar case
emanating from political intolerance was also recorded during the protests
organised by some Bulawayo residents and the business community against parking
fees. It was reported that Sam Dlamini insulted David Moyo who was one of the
demonstrators for wearing Zanu PF regalia. Verified facts suggest that Dlamini made
remarks that all the problems affecting Bulawayo and the country in general, were
attributed to Zanu PF. This was said using unprintable words and insults. While it is
true that the citizens had gone to protest with a similar aim, it appeared that Dlamini
identified Moyo not as a demonstrator, but as the source of the problem they were
demonstrating against. According to Dlamini, it is not plausible for a Zanu PF member
to demonstrate when they are the authors of problems the country is facing. It
should be noted that everyone remains entitled to their rights and every citizen has
the right to freedom of assembly and association.
Earlier this month, it was reported by ZimEye that Zanu PF affiliated vendors in
Bulawayo claimed they were forced to take matters into their own hands when they
allocated themselves vending bays along Fifth Avenue in the city. This happened
because the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) was using nepotism in the process of
allocation. On the other hand, the local authority responded by stating that it had
become difficult to control illegal vendors as they hid under the shadows of Zanu PF.
The council is reported to have threatened to deal with illegal vendors by arresting
them and such interventions have led to widespread human rights abuses. The BCC
threatened to engage the military to deal with illegal vendors to drive them out of the
CBD. Utterances of such nature often bring back memories of abuses perpetrated by
the army, especially during the month of August. In a similar case on 19 August, it
was reported that a Zanu PF activist, Kuda Chamboko went around forcing vendors
to buy new party cards or risk losing their stands near Unity village. Vendors are said
to have brought new cards fearing that they would have their stands repossessed.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report