March 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
ABOUT ZPP
It never rains but pours
Introduction
Zimbabwe faced one of its greatest tragedies in the
month of March. Following several forecasts of an
approaching cyclone that was reported likely to affect
Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, on 15 March
Zimbabwe woke to a shockwave of devastation as
Cyclone
Idai
engulfed
parts
of
Manicaland,
Masvingo, and Mashonaland East Provinces. A
horrific trail of destruction caused by the Tropical
Cyclone plunged communities of Chimanimani and
Chipinge into tragedy with a death toll of above 280
The organisation was founded in 2000 by church-based and
human rights organisations. The current members of ZPP are
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council
of Churches (ZCC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace
in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), Counselling Services Unit (CSU),
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Civic
Education Network Trust (CIVNET), Zimbabwe Lawyers for
Human Rights (ZLHR) and Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
(WCoZ).
ZPP was established with the objective of monitoring,
documenting and building peace and promoting the peaceful
resolution of disputes and conflicts. The Zimbabwe Peace
Project seeks to foster dialogue and political tolerance through
non-partisan peace monitoring activities, mainly through
monitors who document the violations of rights in the provinces.
The monitors, who at full complement stand at 420, constitute
the core pool of volunteers, supported by four Regional
Coordinators. The Regional Coordinators relate with the
national office headed by the National Director and programme
officers in various units.
and still counting, while more than 500 people are still
missing and 54,000 households in dire need of food, clothing, shelter, water and sanitation
services1. Zimbabweans united across political, ethnic and geographical divide in solidarity to
support victims and families affected by this tragedy.
The cost of living rose sharply during the month leading to steep prices of basic commodities
while the shortage of fuel exacerbated transport costs for commuters. The Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) conducted a by-election in Bulawayo, Cowdray Park (Ward 28)
on 30 March to fill a vacancy that had arisen following the death of the incumbent
Councillor, Hapson Ncube, who died in December 2018. The Zanu PF candidate Kidwell
Mujuru was duly elected as Councillor, a seat which was previously won by the MDC-A
during the 2018 harmonised elections. The MDC fielded two candidates for the post; a
manifestation of the rifts existing in the party.
ZPP recorded a total of 213 violations up from 196 recorded in February. The majority of
violations reported and recorded were harassment, intimidation and threats, at approximately
52.6%. In Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces, some Zanu PF members
and village heads forced community members to contribute towards Independence Day
commemorations. In Mt Darwin North, Mukumbura wards 4 and 5, villagers were made to
1
IOM Zimbabwe Cyclone Idai Update Issue No. 19, 2 April 2019
2