December MMR
KEY VIOLATIONS
HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION
Harassment of citizens by political actors and traditional
In another incident, in the same district, a male
leaders is a widespread human rights issue in Zimbabwe,
victim was approached by nine suspected ZANU PF
with far-reaching consequences for individuals and
youths who ordered him to leave the business
communities. This pervasive problem is characterized by
center immediately because he was allegedly
intimidation, harassment, and sometimes physical assault,
campaigning against the extension of President
often perpetrated by individuals wielding political power
Mnangagwa's reign to 2030. The victim was
or acting on behalf of political leaders.
threatened with violence as the perpetrators
In December alone, there were 5 violations of (politically
promised to make the victim’s stay a "very difficult
related) assault (5 victims, all men) and 19 violations where
time" in the area. The intimidation tactics, including
43 victims (11 women and 32 men) were threatened with
threats of violence and retaliation, can cause
violence were documented. These violations included
significant emotional distress and fear. Such
incidents where political leaders intimidated victims.
threats can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety,
These findings suggest a troubling trend of political actors
and depression, making it challenging for victims to
and traditional leaders using coercion and fear to exert
continue their activism or even participate in
control over citizens.
everyday activities.
In Chiwundura, Midlands Province, ZANU PF members
ZPP highlights that it is crucial to address the
deployed to inform residents of a community meeting
underlying factors to prevent harassment and
meant for selecting potential beneficiaries of food aid,
human rights violations in Zimbabwe through
deliberately
members
strengthening institutions, promoting transparency
threatening victims not to attend. The perpetrators visited
and accountability, and engaging in community-
a male victim, a known opposition supporter, threatening
led initiatives to challenge harmful social and
him with "painful punishment" should he attend the
cultural norms.
visited
houses
of
opposition
meeting since the aid was ‘meant for ZANU PF supporters
only.’
20
DECEMBER VIOLATIONS
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