3.0
RRRV2023|Provincial Highlights
ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT
AUGUST 2021
In Nkayi, it was reported that police officers assaulted three women
(names supplied) who suffered significant injuries on allegations
that they violated lockdown regulations.
Bulawayo
The highlight of the month was President Mnangagwa’s visit to
Matabeleland where he met chiefs in what was seen as an attempt
by the president to use the backdoor to deal with the Gukurahundi
killings of the 1980s.
Mnangagwa was State Security minister when the killings happened,
and since he came into power in 2017, he has attempted to clear his
name on the killings.
ZPP and other pro-healing groups have continued to urge
Mnangagwa to initiate a genuine, inclusive healing and
reconciliation process.
Voter registration has begun in the province with very few
individuals registering to vote. The general public perception is that
Zanu PF has already won the elections as the party is enjoying the
opportunity to gather people and conduct its business undisturbed
and yet other political parties, especially the MDC Alliance, are
being denied that chance.
Matabeleland North
Chief Saba of Binga North Ward 9 continued intimidating
opposition supporters instructing all village heads to report any
meeting convened by the members of the opposition. It is said that
Saba has instructed village heads to draw up a list of any opposition
members carrying out any political activities and threatened that
they would be ‘dealt with’
In Nkayi, it was reported that police officers assaulted three women
(names supplied) who suffered significant injuries on allegations
that they violated lockdown regulations. The police first accused the
women of stealing livestock but they later changed the charge and
accused the three of disregarding safe practices of preventing the
COVID 19.
Conflict and politically motivated rivalries among artisanal miners
are on the rise in Umguza and in the month under review one Justin
Moyo allegedly shot three people in an ownership wrangle over a
newly discovered gold claim. The conflict erupted when Moyo
remarked that it was his family’s land that they bought from the
government and yet others argued that the land had been
repossessed and parceled out by Zanu PF for artisanal processes.
This resulted in Moyo shooting and injuring the three.
Matabeleland South Province
In Silozwana village, Matobo North, a Zanu PF activist identified as
Martin Sibindi allegedly intimidated villagers telling them that they
shall be monitored if they vote for the MDC Alliance. It is said that
Sibindi made these remarks during a community meeting as he was
encouraging people to register to vote. It is reported that Sibindi
warned that a mechanism had been drawn up to monitor and
punish those that might vote for other MDC Alliance and other
parties.