DECEMBER, 2023
Key Findings and Mitigation Measures
Abductions, assault and torture of government critics
ZPP notes with concern that there has been continued use
of abductions and torture as a tool to silence dissent. Most
incidents of abductions and torture have been targeting
opposition political activists and human rights defenders.
There has been systematic use of abductions and torture
to suppress dissenting voices in violation of the
constitution which guarantees citizens the rights to
freedom of expression, assembly and association including
their political rights. Section 67 guarantees citizens
political rights in Zimbabwe. Every Zimbabwean citizen has
the right to free, fair and regular elections and make
political choices freely, form, join and participate in the
activities of a political party or organization of their choice
and campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or
cause. Furthermore, every national citizen above 18 years
of age has the right to vote secretly in elections and
referendums and stand for public office and, if elected, to
Source: Takudzwa Ngadziore Facebook page
hold such office.
Recommendations
ZPP urges the Zimbabwean government to thoroughly investigate all cases of abductions, arbitrary
detentions, torture and assault targeting human rights advocates, members of parliament and opposition
political activists and punish all perpetrators.. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR) (1976), Article 7 states that “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.
Right to Personal Security
ZPP recorded 10 cases on the right to personal security. On 21 December at Joshua Nkomo statue along Main Street
and 8th Avenue in Bulawayo, it was reported that Bulawayo municipal police manhandled vendors who were selling their
products. It is reported that the officers who were conducting a Clean the City operation pounced on vendors,
manhandled them and expropriated their products before making arrests. Chaotic scenes were reported in Mutare
business district on 6 December during vendor raids conducted by the municipal police. The officers reportedly
confiscated vendors' wares and also made some arrests following the raids. An unidentified male officer harassed and
accused a vendor of selling at unauthorized spaces in the central business district. A female vendor was allegedly
involved in a nasty battle with council police and sustained some serious bruises in the process.
Intimidation was reported in Buhera South. ZANU PF activists and Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ) members led by
Buhera South Legislator Ngonidzashe Mudekunye reportedly threatened to harm a male victim for mentioning that
Chamisa will lead Zimbabwe one day. In a series of WhatsApp messages Mudekunye and his colleagues rebuked the
victim saying he was daydreaming before promising to come after him. Mudekunye also said that ZANU PF will remain
until the second coming of Jesus before assigning FAZ to target him.
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