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Matabeleland South
In the month under review, the province recorded human rights
violations of political intolerance as there are by-elections expected in
Bulilima West constituency. This has resulted in the perpetration of
various human rights violations in the area which has seen a lot of
citizens abused during the campaigns. It was reported that a Zanu PF
activist only identified as Mnyamana forced citizens to attend their
campaign meetings ahead of the by-elections. Mnyamana warned
citizens that those who failed to attend the Zanu PF meetings would be
considered opposition supporters and hence would be dealt with. Out of
fear citizens attended the meetings fearing for their safety and life. In
ward 14, a suspected member of the Mthwakazi Republic Party
identified as Bernard Dube went around tearing posters belonging to
the candidates from Zanu PF and Citizen Coalition for Change ahead of
the by-election.
A case of intimidation was recorded, where Thembani Mthimkhulu of
CCC threatened to beat up those that fail to vote for his party in the
upcoming by-elections. It is said that Mthimkhulu said this during a
grassroots campaign exercise and was said to be threatening citizens
with unspecified action if they fail to vote for his party. At ward 16 it was
noted that a group of Zanu PF members led by Richman Moyo was
moving around forcing citizens to join the party. It is alleged that the
door to door campaign was targeting known CCC members as it is said
they would visit each homestead using the cell group list. Verified facts
suggest that Moyo remarked that all those that fail to join Zanu PF will
be dealt with in the fullness of time.
At Nathisa village of Matobo North, it was reported that a Zanu PF
activist only identified as Xolani Sibanda threatened to invite the youth
militia into the community to beat up CCC members. Sibanda told the
community that the new party should be stopped from holding
meetings as it says things that are laden with messages of ‘subversion’.
Sibanda vowed to beat up all known CCC members with the help of the
militia.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report