EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In May 2025, the Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded a total of 83 human rights violations affecting 5,376 victims
nationwide, a 10% decline from the violations recorded in May where 6,059 people were affected. These
violations included breaches of personal security, acts of intimidation and harassment, assault, political
discrimination in the distribution of government-sponsored food aid, restrictions on freedoms of expression,
assembly, and association, as well as limited access to social services. Other incidents included unjustified
arrests, unlawful evictions, malicious damage to property, inhuman and degrading treatment, and restricted
access to information.
Of the total 5,376 people affected, 3,107 were females and 2,269 were males. Among the perpetrators, those
affiliated with the ruling party, ZANU PF, accounted for 35.38%, followed by members of the Zimbabwe Republic
Police (ZRP) at 13.77%. Other violators included local authorities (16.53%), government officials (11.44%), artisanal
miners (5.93%), traditional leaders (6.14%), members of the MDC-Alliance (0.64%) and unaffiliated individuals
(6.36%). Additional perpetrators involved members of the Zimbabwe National Army (0.21%) and vendors (3.6%).
State security actors, particularly those mandated to protect the public, continue to feature prominently among
perpetrators of human rights violations. However, ZPP welcomes and has embraced the opportunity to engage
with the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) through its goodwill ambassador to promote a
rights-based, accountable approach in security operations. We are hopeful that other implicated institutions will
be open to such engagements, paving the way for lasting solutions to end impunity and foster sustainable peace
in Zimbabwe.
Provincially, Masvingo and Harare recorded the highest number of violations in May, with 13 violations each.
Midlands followed closely with 12 violations, while Manicaland and Mashonaland West each documented 10.
Mashonaland Central experienced a notable decline from 13 violations the previous month to 4 in May.
Mashonaland East recorded 9 violations, and both Matabeleland North and South recorded 6 violations each.
In our examination of steps taken towards sustainable peace in Zimbabwe, we commend the Zimbabwe Human
Rights Commission (ZHRC) for spotlighting urgent issues needing government action, among these were
collapsing public services, shrinking civic space and restrictive conditions. The ZHRC made this presentation at
the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), during which
Zimbabwe presented its 16th Periodic Report (2019–2023), highlighting institutional and legislative reforms aimed
at
protecting
human
rights
ARTISANAL MINERS
defenders.
Persistent violations across multiple
sectors
underscore
3.60
%
ongoing
MDC-A
5.93
%
VENDORS
0.64
%
Traditional
Leaders
challenges to the realisation of
the
root
0.21
%
politically
motivated
abuses
and
Government
officials
Continued monitoring, accountability,
and
genuine
commitment
will
government
be
advancing these goals.
critical
Local councils
Unknown
13.77 Zimbabwe
% Republic Police
16.53
%
in
6.36
%
I
can exercise their rights without fear.
11.44
%
IL
and just society where all citizens
6.14
%
AFF
limitations on civic freedoms, is
essential to creating a more inclusive
R
RS
PERP
causes of these violations, especially
ET
Addressing
O
AT
ION
protection.
ZNA
AT
sustainable peace and human rights
ZANU PF
35.38
%
3