Right to Personal Security
ZPP recorded 7 cases related to the violation of
the right to personal security. The highest
numbers were recorded in Manicaland and
Harare provinces.
On 10 April an arson case was reported in
Baradzamwa village, Chief Nyamhunga ward 17
in Hurungwe West. It is alleged that the victim
(name supplied) narrowly escaped death after
his bedroom was set on fire by suspected Zanu
PF assailants around 2am. Reports indicate that
the home was set on fire before the assailants
tied the door from outside to ensure that the
victim would not escape. The victim was
reportedly awakened by the fire, but failed to
escape since the door was tied from outside; he
was then rescued by his mother with the help of
neighbours after they heard a loud cry for help.
The door was broken from outside and the
victim pulled out unconscious. The victim was
taken to Nyamhunga Clinic where he was
referred to Magunje Hospital and hospitalised in
an intensive care unit as he suffered severe
burns. The incident was reported at Magunje
police station and investigations are ongoing
however, although no arrests have been
reported.
Section 52 of the Constitution states that every
Zimbabwean has the right to bodily and
psychological integrity, which includes the right
to freedom from all forms of violence from public
or private sources. Articles 3 and 5 of the UDHR
recognise that every person has the right to
personal liberty and security, and this is
supported by Article 6 of the ACHPR.
Administrative Rights
ZPP recorded a total of 7 cases of right to
administrative justice during April. Mashonaland
Central province recorded the highest number
of cases, followed by Manicaland and
Mashonaland East.
On 18 April during the Independence Day
commemorations, most vendors, shop owners
and flea market traders in Mt Darwin town were
forced to close their businesses and attend the
commemorations. They were reportedly told
that it was a directive from the top. It is further
said that they were threatened with withdrawal
of their operating licences, if they defied the
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ruling party orders. It is alleged that those who
attended the commemorations were given
chicken and chips boxes, of which some of the
food was stale resulting in several people
suffering from running stomachs. Villagers at
Murenga village ward 24 were forced to
contribute a dollar per household towards the
Independence Day commemorations. Similar
incidents were reported in Hurungwe West,
Mutare North, Bindura South and Guruve North
amongst others.
Section 71 of the Constitution stipulates that
every person has the right, in any part of
THE ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | APRIL 2023