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RRRV2023|Provincial Highlights
ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT
AUGUST 2021
In the month of August, there was no food aid distribution and the
government has not paid out any COVID-19 allowances in the past
three months, leaving citizens more vulnerable.
Harare
Leaders of the #31JulyMovement, Jacob Ngarivhume and Job
Sikhala, have reported that they have received threats from
suspected state security agents.
Speaking during an interview with NewZimbabwe.com 5 August
2021, Ngarivhume said the aggressors used South African cellphone
numbers to issue threats against any attempt to organize another
protest.
The #31JulyMovement is a convergence of Zimbabweans who, last
year, organized a protest on 31 July, and several civil and political
activists, including Ngarivhume and Sikhala, were arrested. In the
run up to the protests, some activists were abducted as the State
went on an overdrive to stop the protest.
Said Ngarivhume
“I am now receiving threats on a daily basis from state security
agents who are simply against citizens enjoying their basic
rights. They do not want people to express themselves, they
do not want people to criticise (President) Emmerson
Mnangagwa, and they do not want people to speak against
corruption because that is how they survive and are too eager
to abuse those that are brave enough to do that.
Mashonaland Central
It was business as usual despite the COVID-19 lockdown being in
place in Mashonaland Central.
Zanu PF was in full campaign mode and in one incident, a Zanu PF
Councillor Machisi of Bindura Ward 12 convened a meeting and
promised to distribute 1000 Tsotso stoves and solar panels to
citizens in the area, and he also went around the ward compiling
names of prospective beneficiaries in Garikai Township.
Machisi allegedly indicated that in order for one to be a beneficiary,
they had to exhibit allegiance to the ruling party, which is on a
campaign to have a record and ambitious five million votes in 2023
and has begun using different ways of collecting names of people
onto its party roll.
In the month of August, there was no food aid distribution and the
government has not paid out any COVID-19 allowances in the past
three months, leaving citizens more vulnerable.
Asked about the issue, leader of government business in Parliament
Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the money was no longer available
for those who are able-bodied and that it was no longer necessary
as the country had a bumper harvest in the last farming season.
ZPP however noted that there was no evidence that persons with
disability received any COVID-19 related support.
In Muzarabani, police allegedly continued to deny the MDC Alliance
clearance to hold meetings due to lockdown regulations but Zanu
PF was holding its meetings regularly without disturbances.