Executive Summary
The simmering political and economic tensions in Zimbabwe triggered an unprecedented build
up of protest movements which gathered momentum in June. These protests were mostly
driven by non political party actors. This phenomenon was a reflection of the general
frustrations across the broad spectrum of citizens. This report highlights the arrests of Occupy
Africa Unity Square activists and NAVUZ activists for organizing protests.
Political intolerance continues to be pervasive across the country. On 18 June in Zengeza West
Member of Parliament (MP), Simon Chidhakwa of the MDC-T had to run away after being
assaulted at a resident’s feedback meeting. In a related incident, on 25 June, members of
Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) were reportedly assaulted in Harare by suspected Zanu PF
supporters accusing them of attending a ZimPF rally. In a case of extreme intolerance, in
Pumula a group of about 15 war veterans met at fellow member Mkwananzi’s residence on 6
June where they denounced Zanu PF MP Godfrey Malaba for having attended an MDC-T
member (MaMsipha's) funeral. They accused him of having spoken well of the deceased
opposition member and vowed to de-campaign him in future elections. Most cases that were
reported in our June report 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. For instance on 4 June in Mvurwi town Zanu PF 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.
Section 58 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that, every person has the right to
freedom of assembly and association and the right not to assemble or associate with others. A
number of cases are cited in our June report where violations of this right took place. On 14
June 2016 in ward 9 of Chegutu West the Idawekwako Burial Society group members
were allegedly summoned by the Zanu PF shadow councillor identified as Chirikure. Some
members of the burial society were accused of campaigning for ZimPF and were asked to leave
the burial society. In a different incident, a Youth Officer named Mashopani who is resident in
ward 28 of Masvingo South was reported to be forcing villagers to attend Zanu PF ideological
lessons every Wednesday afternoon. The affected villages are Mhokore, Bhudha and Todzanai.
Politicization of food aid programs is rampant across the country. In most of the reported cases
the ruling Zanu PF used food aid to coerce people to join the party. In Tsholotsho North well
known perpetrators Jones Mutasa and Clement Mkandla of Zanu PF barred members of the
opposition access to food on political grounds. In an extreme case, on 16 June, an MDC-T party
activist Nancy Rugwe* of Kufakwatenzi village Buhera South was allegedly assaulted by Joseph
Chinotimba (MP)-Buhera South at a food distribution point. It is reported that the villagers
including Rugwe had been engaged in a food for work program at Kufakwatenzi Primary school.
Land invasions continued unabated in and around Harare. It is reported that on 5 June Zanu PF
youths in Epworth led an invasion at Dunstan area along Airport road. On 16 June in Goromonzi
South, a group of Zanu PF youths from Goromonzi North and South invaded Phase 20 ward 25
Caledonia stands also known as Eastview Park. Riot police had to be called to quell the situation
and the youths are said to have eventually allocated themselves stands in the area.
Biting cash shortages were witnessed in Zimbabwe in the month of June. Long queues were a
common sight at banks and the withdrawal limit was set at USD100 for individuals. The withdrawal
limits exacerbated the suffering for most households where the Total Consumption Poverty Line
(TCPL) for an average of five persons per household stood at $481.00 in June 2016 (Zimstats). The
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