Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
Mashonaland Central
The province recorded cases of intimidation and harassment of citizens
ahead of the 2023 general elections. Village meetings and other social
gatherings were politicised by Zanu PF leaders who used them as
campaign spaces. In Mt Darwin West, Zanu PF district leaders convened
a meeting at Chihoko community centre ward 36 on 12 December. The
district leaders, including Samson Hundi (war veteran), Mike Murasira
and Mrs Manjoro, threatened to unleash violence on all opposition
supporters in Mt Darwin. Mr Hundi warned villagers that Zanu PF had a
good list of all opposition members ready to deal with accordingly. He
further warned them that those members of the CCC and those who once
attended a CCC meeting should denounce their membership before tragic
events happen in 2023. “We are not afraid to kill because people died for
this country”.
Mashonaland East
In December, Mashonaland East recorded a significant number of human
rights abuses compared to Mashonaland West. Cases of assault,
intimidation, harassment and partisan aid distribution characterised the
province. CCC supporters were barred from participating in and attending
their party meetings. The magnitude and level of political intolerance by
Zanu PF supporters signal a violent election in 2023. On 25 December, a
violent scuffle ensued at Chirasavana Business Centre Ward 27 in
Chikomba East. It is alleged that Malvern Zumba was brutally assaulted
by a Zanu PF activist Lovemore Mutizwa. Mutizwa, who had visited from
Harare, confronted Zumba accusing him of being an opposition member.
Mutizwa reportedly used hate language and assaulted Zumba with fists,
bottles and stones, sustaining injury to his forehead. The matter was
reported at Sadza Police Station. However, no arrests have been made.
December 2022
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
20