Mashonaland Central
The province recorded an increase in the cases of politically motivated violence during the
period under review. Most cases that were reported were a violation of Section 67 (2) (a) of
the Constitution which states that every person has the right to form, join and to participate in
the activities of a political party of their choice. This right was violated when Bindura South
residents were forced to attend a Zanu PF meeting. In Mvurwi, freedom of religion was
violated when church leaders were ordered to release their congregants in order for them to
attend a Zanu PF rally. The aspiring candidate for the Mazowe North by-election was
threatened by officers believed to be from the President’s Office who wanted him to
withdraw his candidature. People in various parts of the province are being threatened with
assaults similar to those of 2008 if they continue supporting opposition parties like the MDCT and ZimPF.
Highlights
At the meeting called on June 4 Abraham Mhembere, the Zanu PF ward chairperson
is reported to have told the people gathered that his party did not want to see any other
political party in the ward apart from Zanu PF. The meeting is reported to have been
held in Ward 12 Bindura South. Mhembere threatened those who were believed to be
going to Goromonzi for the ZimPF meetings with beatings similar to those of 2008.
On 4 June in Mvurwi town Zanu PF through its local leaders is reported to have given
orders to various church leaders not to go to church on 5 June as there was going to be
a rally at Mvurwi Stadium. A council vehicle was used to move around the town
calling for the rally. The guest of honour was Honourable Chen Chimutengwende. It
is reported that the Mvurwi urban councillor Vincent Murengwa sent letters inviting
various churches to attend a rally at Mvurwi stadium at 1000hrs. An excerpt from the
letter, "I greet you in the name of Christ our Lord. You are kindly requested to release
your congregation on the 5th June 2016 for a Rally which is to be held at 1000hrs in
Mvurwi Stadium on the same date. Your usual cooperation is highly called for. Yours
faithfully V.Murengwa CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION." It is alleged the
endorsed Mazowe North aspiring MP Martin Dinha wanted to meet the people for the
first time as the campaign intensified in preparation for the 23 July 2016 by-election.
This move was a direct violation of the freedom of association and conscience.
Keresiya Chabatamoto of Umuzi Farm and Beauty Fuse of Brawlands farm in
Mazowe South attended a workshop which was reported to have been organised by
the Taiwan Food Relief Committee on 5 June , At the end of the workshop the
participants were each given 20kg rice. Tracy Mudimu of Chibara farm who was also
a member of the committee and a Zanu PF supporter ordered the women to leave the
rice at her house saying it was better to feed sick Zanu PF people instead of feeding
opposition supporters. The two women were allegedly forced to give up their rice as
they were accused of not attending Zanu PF meetings.
The home belonging to Elias Malukula’s mother was under Zimbabwe Republic
Police guard on June 7. Malukula was the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ)
Mazowe North by-election candidate. Malukula’s mother lives at Impinge farm also
known as Bentley farm located between Mvurwi and Guruve but it is under Guruve
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