On 23 December, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)
officers assaulted a group of youths in Chegutu East ward 18
at Chinhengo Primary School. It is alleged that the incident
took place during a Command Agriculture programme in
which the ZNA officers were facilitating the distribution of
fertilizers to villagers. Among the youth who were assaulted
was Tendai Chapfudza. Chipfudza was accused for
interrupting and disturbing during the distribution; he was
assaulted with open palms.
Threat level: Low
Village head William Kachepa*aligned to MDC-T was
assaulted by a Zanu PF youth Joe Dzapasi at a pub in Magunje
on 8 December. It is alleged that Kachepa was assaulted for
denying Dzapasi farming inputs. It was recorded that Dzapasi
was denied farming inputs as he tried to cheat the system
through double dipping. The beneficiary register indicated that
Dzapasi had received inputs under his mother’s household.
The incident was not reported to the police.
On 11 December uniformed Zimbabwe National Army
Officers (ZNA) harassed and assaulted people at Rumwe
shopping centre in Rimuka Kadoma Central Sanyati District.
ZNA Officers are alleged to have been on a campaign
ordering residents to produce voter registration slips and
national identification details. Residents who failed to produce
the needed documents were severely assaulted. Several shops
were closed as the situation intensified; among the shops that
were forced to close was Africa Bet. It is alleged that six
armed ZNA Officers pounced on Africa Bet and switched off
television sets before ordering people to produce their voter
registration slips. Those who failed to produce slips were
clapped and ordered to register to avoid future
embarrassments.
Category of incident
Dec 2017
Nov 2017
Assault
4
2
Theft/looting
0
1
Discrimination
1
5
Displacement
0
0
Intimidation/harassment
6
12
Unlawful Detention
0
0
Threat level: Low
In Chivi Central ward 16 at Chivi Turnoff, a case of Zanu PF
intra-party violence was reported on 3 December. It is alleged
that Trymore Zhiri assaulted Howard Madungwe a Zanu PF
youth after Madungwe had earlier threatened to assault Moses
Mazungunye* the ward 16 Councillor. A misunderstanding
started after Madungwe who was wearing a Zanu PF t/shirt
with the inscription in support of President Mnangagwa, told
Mazungunye that the Lacoste faction was now in power and
Pwanyai was going to suffer. When Zhiri was informed of the
misunderstanding he is reported to have assaulted Madungwe.
The police at a nearby base are alleged to have ignored the
matter.
A violent dispute was recorded in ward 16 Waze in Chegutu
East on 18 December over unfair distribution of Presidential
farming inputs. It is alleged that a revolt led by Zanu PF ward
chairperson broke out against sitting ward Councillor Ethilege
Mbangani. Villagers disapproved the way Mbangani
distributed inputs. It is alleged that he unfairly distributed
fertilizers to his subjects. Mbangani tried to consolidate his
power and allocated 330 bags to his close and immediate
villages against 100 bags allocated to Waze villages. The ZNA
quickly intervened and silenced the disgruntled villagers.
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