PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
Midlands
Matabeleland South
In the Midlands, ZPP documented 15 human rights violations
In Matabeleland North, ZPP documented two human
affecting 816 victims (488 women, 328 men including 1
rights violations involving political intolerance and
PWD), with the most serious involving discrimination,
disruption of community processes. In Gwanda North’s
intimidation, and the violation of the right to education. In
Ward 6, former CCC Councillor Kelon Sikula disrupted
Mberengwa East, the headmistress of Gomututu Primary
a community meeting convened by the incumbent
School expelled pupils with fee arrears, denying them
(CCC)
access to education, while local chiefs ordered households
inflammatory remarks aimed at undermining him. The
to pay 10 kg of grain or risk exclusion from government aid,
confrontation, which took place on 10 September at
amounting to coercion and extortion. In Chiwundura,
Mtshazo Ward Centre, only ended when the village
suspected
surveillance
of
opposition
supporters
councillor,
Joseph
Khumalo,
by
making
by
head intervened to restore order. Such conduct
unidentified individuals created fear and intimidation
reflects political intolerance and interference with
within communities. In Gokwe Chireya, over 800 students,
community governance, undermining citizens’ rights to
including Grade 7 pupils preparing for exams, were sent
participate
home over fees, violating their right to education. These
represented without intimidation or disruption.
freely
in
local
affairs
and
to
be
incidents reflect systemic neglect, abuse of authority, and
politically motivated intimidation, undermining citizens’
rights to education, equality, and freedom from coercion.
Harare
Mashonaland East
In Harare, 18 human rights violations were recorded, with
In Mashonaland East, ZPP documented 12 human
human rights abuses including restrictions on freedom of
rights violations involving assault and intimidation by
assembly and political intimidation. In Chitungwiza Ward 8,
ZANU PF supporters. 142 people (86 women and 56
seven opposition members were violently dispersed during
men) were impacted. In Seke Ward 12, opposition-
a planning meeting, while in Epworth a CCC supporter
affiliated individuals were physically assaulted after
was attacked with a knife by a ZANU PF supporter
attending a village funeral, highlighting political
following a dispute, and another victim’s shirt was burned
violence and restriction of assembly. At Muchinjike
for political affiliation. Schools were commandeered to
School on 6 September 2025, the ZANU PF ward
provide transport for the ZimSports4ED Munhumutapa
chairman ordered fines for those who had not
Sports Tournament, as well as students were compelled to
contributed 10 kg of grain, coercing compliance
participate in the games disregarding prior ZHRC
under threat of punishment. In Mrewa, local leaders
recommendations
against
infrastructure
political
of
schools
threatened and restricted community members,
the
matter
demanding grain contributions with traditional
ZHRC/CI/0069/17. Residents in Kuwadzana rely on unsafe
leaders and warning of forced removal for non-
water sources, while pregnant women in Epworth clinics
compliance. Additionally, six families in Uzumba
face unlawful fees for essential reproductive health
Maramba-Pfungwe lost fields to Chinese miners,
services. Additionally, in Epworth, 35 market vendors were
facing property destruction and threats of violence.
displaced from a community vending market in favor of
Collectively, these incidents demonstrate systematic
ruling
collectively
abuse of authority, political intimidation, assault, and
highlight violations of freedom of assembly, political
violations of the rights to personal security, assembly,
intimidation,
property, and protection from coercion.
party
by
supporters.
physical
the
abuse
parties
These
assault,
in
incidents
forced
participation,
displacement, and denial of basic socio-economic and
health rights.
Report
Human Rights Violations
0774883417 0774883406
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