March 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Analysis
Zimbabwe
continued
experiencing
a
socio-economic,
political
and
environmental melt down which has further burdened Zimbabweans. The
increase in prices, fuel shortages, political violence and discrimination, C yclone
Idai among others are ills that citizens have had to deal with.
The drought that Zimbabwe is experiencing has left over 2 million people vulnerable
and in need of food aid. The increase in cases of discrimination in aid distribution in
March can be attributed to this drought and also to cyclone Idai where such cases
have been reported. The violation of discrimination almost doubled from 9% recorded
in February to 16.9% in March. If the food situation does not improve and the
offences of discrimination remain unabated, the violation of discrimination is likely to
increase in the coming months.
The deterioration in the health delivery system has continued over a period of
time with no long lasting solution being put in place. In April 2018, nurses went
on strike over poor remuneration and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga
fired all of them; a move that could not resolve the issues at hand. In December
2018, Junior Doctors downed their tools citing poor remuneration and
deteriorating working conditions. Their grievances were not totally addressed.
The strike by Senior Doctors in March 2019 was a sign that the plight of the
health sector was not being taken seriously. Public hospitals remain ill-equipped
with patients advised to purchase drugs from private pharmacies whose prices
are out of reach for many.
The violence that has rocked the MDC elective congress preparations have also
contributed to the increase in violations. The violence is a manifestation of tensions
that have long existed in the party since the days of the late MDC-T President,
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and which heightened after his passing. During
Tsvangirai’s funeral, youths believed to be in support of Advocate Chamisa’s
ascendency to the presidency attacked the Secretary General Mwonzora (who is being
viewed as a Zanu PF project) and the then vice President of the party, Thokozani
11