3
ZPP documented numerous cases in August where the
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) deliberately infringed
on the liberties of citizens. The trend in the last few
years and most of this year, August included, is that the
ZRP continues to be accused of being responsible for
the loss of life of citizens in their custody in most cases
under unclear circumstances. The police seem not to be
sensitive to issues relating to disability. ZPP recorded a
case on the 20th of August whereby a man with a
mental disability was taken to Harare Central Police
Station where he unexpectedly died after being
assaulted by the Military Presidential Guards Unit. This is
against
Section
219
of
the
Constitution,
which
expressly provides their mandate as that of impartiality,
patriotism, and of a national character. The Constitution
provides
for
law
enforcement
agents
to
act
professionally and desist from using force that is
disproportionate.
In addition, on 21 August the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission (ZEC) hiked by 1,900% election fees to be
paid by presidential and parliamentary candidates
seeking to contest in the 2023 harmonised elections.
Fees for presidential election candidates were hiked to
US$20,000.00 up from the US$1,000.00 that was paid
in the 2018 elections. The initiative by ZEC is a clear
violation of civil and political rights in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report