even in the most innocuous way, they punish ordinary folk. On 12 July 2019 three individuals were
denied food aid by Zanu PF Councilor Elia Manjerwa at Hambe Business Centre in Mbire Ward 7.
The victims had requested Manjerwa for their hut tax receipts, a fortnight after making the payment.
Manjerwa however took offense, concluding that they were indirectly accusing him of stealing their
money; he then removed their names from the list of beneficiaries. In Zvimba West Guzha Business
Centre Ward 1 on 10 July, village head Nyachowe denied the Manyika family social welfare
handouts. The Manyika family has been sidelined apparently due to having a surname that is
different from the rest of the villagers.
Deterioration of economic conditions has continued unabated in the month of July. According to
Zim Stats the inflation rate between May and June rose from 97.85% to 175.6%. The Zimbabwean
dollar has reportedly shed 41.57% value in the month of July alone. The noose is further tightened
on struggling Zimbabweans through shortages of fuel, water, electricity among other basics.
Although economic challenges are affecting all Zimbabweans, there seems to be a perception by
ruling party members that complaining about poor living conditions is tantamount to insulting the
ruling party. In Mazowe Central at Kanyemba village on 13 July 2019 two Zanu PF supporters and
an MDC member clashed after an argument on the return of the Zimbabwe dollar. The Zanu PF
supporters claimed that prices of basic commodities will be affordable in time, however the MDC
member chastised them stating that their party was failing to revive the economy. A verbal
altercation was reported resulting in a violent fist fight which was stopped by other villagers.
In Insiza North Constituency, at Filabusi Business Centre, a delegation of eight Zanu PF youths led
by a man popularly known as ‘Moyoza’ were moving about shops checking prices. The youths were
intimidating and threatening shop owners to reduce prices and noting those still charging in foreign
currency. Shop owners were threatened to heed the Presidential call to reduce prices or risk losing
their licenses.
Inter-Party Violence is on the increase and there is a risk that the situation will continue to
escalate. Violations received this month demonstrate an increase in tensions between the main
opposition the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the ruling Zanu PF. These
confrontations are getting increasingly violent in nature.
An MDC member was attacked by Zanu PF activists for wearing opposition party regalia in Mbire
at Chigwededza village Ward 14 on 1 July 2019. Last Togara besieged the MDC member’s home
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