MAY 2018
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Interpretive analysis
There was a notable 20 percent decrease in recorded cases of human rights violations
from the previous month, which should be a positive development as we go to the general
election in two months’ time. However, on a closer look, there are tell-tale signs that,
unless drastic measures are taken urgently, the election may not be as peaceful, free and
fair as the national leadership promises. The high incidents of intraparty political violence
in Zanu PF and the MDC-T collectively during the respective parties’ primary elections
and the high incidents of victimisation, intimidation and harassment mainly by Zanu PF in
May, both accounting for about 57 percent of the recorded violations, do not bode well for
a peaceful, free and fair election. The incidents seem to confirm that violence remains
part of our political discourse; even in the opposition movement. The same violence that
manifested itself in the primary elections, if unabated through impartial, decisive and
concerted efforts, is likely to translate to interparty violence mainly between Zanu PF and
the MDC-T and the MDC Alliance which it belongs to going to the election.
Despite all the talk by the political leaders, at least for now, there appears to be no
concrete indication that the situation could be arrested. Zanu PF’s institutional structures,
especially at a localised level, which have traditionally been accused of political
manipulation, intimidation and violence, appear intact and it seems the ‘spiderweb’ or
‘dandemutande’ in shona reveals the intricate manner in which everything is linked from
voter registration and the establishment of cell structures and the demand for voter
registration information. Local leaders aligned to the ruling party, particularly in the
countryside, including traditional leaders, continue to coerce, victimise, intimidate and
harass local residents with seeming impunity. ZPP is encouraged by two judgements in the
courts relating to the mandate of traditional leaders according to Section 281 (1) and (2)
of the constitution. Two rulings in the courts against traditional leaders’ practise of
dabbling in politics were welcome. Chief Fortune Charumbira was ordered to retract a
statement on traditional leaders’ support for Zanu PF and two days later another ruling
banned chiefs from politics as this practise jeorpadised citizens’ ability to exercise their
rights to vote freely and fairly. At the same time, government resources, including food
aid, continue to be used in a partisan manner for political purposes.
From 2016 ZPP noted a bulging record of victims of unknown affiliation at the
height of the social movements and compounded by deepening ructions in Zanu PF and the
subsequent purging. As the 2018 elections beckon it is interesting to note that this
category from January 2018 has seen a downward trend indicating that most citizens are
finding homes in political parties.
Meanwhile, looking at political violence that broke out during the primary elections
in Zanu PF and the MDC-T, it could reasonably be argued that, for political expediency,
both parties are reluctant to tackle the problem. Despite the seriousness of some of the
conduct, which as indicated above, included the use or threat of use of firearms by senior
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