EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ABOUT ZPP
The organisation was founded in 2000 by church-based
and human rights organisations. The current members of
ZPP are Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ),
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Catholic
Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ),
Counselling Services Unit (CSU),
, Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Civic
Education Network Trust (CIVNET), Zimbabwe Lawyers
for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Women’s Coalition of
Zimbabwe (WCoZ).
The Zimbabwe Peace Project is worried by the nature of
incidents recorded in December although the number of
cases were in a downward trend, 124 from 190 recorded in
November. It seems while the tension between Lacoste and
G40 factions in Zanu PF might have been at bay in most
communities in December they left a significant mark as
some of those who felt abused by those who had more
influence before November 15 were settling scores openly.
While cases of intra-party conflict slipped a little from 13 in
November to 10 in December it is the tension in
communities that is a worrying indicator. As elections draw
closer and primary elections take centre stage these ructions
will not die down rather they are expected to be the rationale
likely to be used for those who will get the mandate to
represent the party. Surprisingly many cases were recorded
in Midlands and Masvingo where the triumphant faction had
the most influence. Two cases were recorded in
Mashonaland Central where former Zanu PF Political
Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and the former First Lady
Grace Mugabe had influence. Cases recorded by ZPP where
there were factional overtones in Zanu PF food distribution,
land distribution and allocation and in the ongoing
Biometric Voter Registration (BVR). The fact that intra
party conflict was only recorded in Zanu PF in December
does by any means mean that it has been eradicated in other
political parties.
ZPP was established with the objective of monitoring,
documenting and building peace and promoting the
peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts. The peace
project seeks to foster dialogue and political tolerance
through non-partisan peace monitoring activities, mainly
through monitors who document the violations of rights in
the provinces.
The monitors, who at full complement stand at 420,
constitute the core pool of volunteers, supported by three
Regional Coordinators.
The Regional Coordinators
relate with the national office headed by the National
Director and programme officers in various units.
recorded violations for December with 38, followed by
Mashonaland Central with 29, and Harare with 15. The
violations in December as noted here are nothing out of the
ordinary in previous years. After the Zanu PF annual
conference or congress violations tend to go down as most
Zimbabweans get into the festive season and 2017 was no
different regardless of the new ‘order.’ Food violations have
not been that many considering a good last season and some
had already started enjoying fruits from their fields if they
planted early.
Speaking of the BVR exercise cases of citizens being forced
to hand over continue to be recorded. While the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed that the noting
down of the serial numbers of registrants has no effect when
it comes to people’s choices ZPP is still concerned that
those who are doing this are being given a free reign
resulting in citizens being instilled with fear. It is sad that in
some communities traditional leaders continue to use this
fear instilling strategy. In the cases that ZPP shared with
ZEC we have been told they were handed to the police for
investigations.
Complaints against the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)
continued to rise. Most of the cases happened before the
withdrawal of the military as Commander Valerio Sibanda
announced the end of ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ on 18
December 2017. The ZNA made up almost thirty seven
percent (36, 3%) of the violations and the Zimbabwe
Republic Police was responsible for twenty five percent (24,
6%) of the cases. The military was more active in the areas
that G-40 had more influence such as Mashonaland Central,
Harassment and intimidation cases took a nose dive to 74
from 120. There was a sharp increase in assault with 21
violations, and a decrease in discriminations with 12 and
then theft/looting with 7. Manicaland had the highest
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