APRIL 2024
MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | 5
Harassment, intimidation and forced
Independence Day contributions
In the month of April, the Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded incidents where citizens
were forced to contribute money, food and other resources towards 18 April
Independence Day celebrations held across the country. In many provinces, mainly in
Manicaland, the contributions were demanded to support national celebrations held
in Murambinda, Buhera District. ZANU PF leaders and traditional leaders were at the
centre of enforcing the demands. Contributions were demanded in the form of
money ranging from USD$1 to USD$5 per individual. In Chipinge, teachers were also
forced to contribute towards and attend the celebrations in Murambinda. A letter
signed by C. Salani, Chipinge's District Development Coordinator, was sent to the
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education requesting ‘contributions in cash from
every employee’. Headmasters were instructed to collect names, ID numbers and
company numbers of those donating to be recorded. Many teachers complied for fear
of victimisation.
The fundraising efforts also targeted vendors. In Mutare Central, a group of
representatives for vendors, led by Mr Mabhobho were moving around forcing
vendors to contribute towards the celebrations in Murambinda. The collections were
made from markets such as Boka Flea market, Mwamuka produce market, and stalls
around the bus rank. The goods and cash were reportedly handed over to the Mutare
District Development Coordinator. The demands were accompanied by intimidation
and threats of either being removed from food aid and agricultural inputs
beneficiaries list or the risk of losing other benefits such as vendor permits. In Guruve
North, Mashonaland Central Province, Muchineri Village head warned the villagers
who do not pay money for independence will not benefit from any relief aid,
including those sponsored by private development partners.
Man shot dead by security guards
In an incident in Mashonaland West, a man was shot dead by two security guards at
Baguta Farm Compound in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West. According to a police
report, two security guards shot and killed a man while trying to disperse a crowd that
had gathered in an attempt to scrounge for leftover maize cobs in the fields at the
farm. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the now deceased had
charged at the guards, armed with a knife when he was shot dead by security guards
hired by the farm owner. The police confirmed that two security guards (aged 30 and
33, names withdrawn) shot dead a man who was part of the crowd which had
gathered at the farm to pick leftover maize cobs in the fields. Section 48 of the
Zimbabwean Constitution states that every person has the right to life.