METHODOLOGY
This report is based on reports from ZPP long-term community based human rights monitors who
observe, monitor and record cases of human rights violations in the constituencies they reside. ZPP
deploys a total of 420 community-based primary peace monitors (two per each of the 210 electoral
constituencies of Zimbabwe). These community-based monitors reside in the constituencies they monitor.
They compile reports that are handed over to ZPP provincial coordinators who man the different ZPP
offices in the ten administrative provinces of Zimbabwe. Upon receipt and verifications of the reports
from the monitors, the provincial coordinators compile provincial monthly monitoring reports, which are
then consolidated at national office into the ZPP monthly monitoring reports published in retrospect.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The nation held its breath throughout the period under review with elections slated for July 31. It was
a period marked by uncertainty whether elections will be held or not with different pointers from
Zanu PF insisting that elections be held come rain or thunder. On the other hand, the MDC-T was
contesting the whole election arrangement, its legality and other administrative issues regarding the
elections and thirdly SADC’s position of wanting the elections postponed by another two weeks hit a
brick wall. The month kicked off with a number of court cases, voter registration, special voting, party
campaign meetings and finally the election itself which resulted in Zanu PF and President Mugabe
being declared winners with a 61% win. However, the MDC-T immediately refused to concede defeat
citing a plethora of issues.
In terms of human rights violations, the period under review recorded the least number of violations in
the last three months with 496 violations. Manicaland with 115 violations had the highest violations
followed by Masvingo (78) Mashonaland West (64). Matebeleland North had the lowest figures
recording just 10 violations. Indeed, the country projected a semblance of ‘peace and tranquillity’,
may be, the people understood the peace messages from the political leadership. However, gurus in
peace studies such as Galtung rightly observed that “peace is not the absence of physical violence”
Thus when assessing the pre-election environment that existed, the need to look at other variables
rather than just one aspect of physical violence becomes paramount. Thus other forms of violence
such as structural violence where employed against the people. For example, the presence and
partisan actions of structures such as war veterans, military personnel, the police, terror bases,
traditional leaders and denial of food have to be considered in order to clearly judge the environment
as just, free and fair.
As the political heat increased, civil and political rights of citizens tumbled. Daily priorities of the
common person became intertwined intricately with party campaigns. Shops and businesses closed
when President Robert Mugabe addressed star rallies in specific areas such as Chitungwiza and
Mutare. Further, the campaigns also affected people’s livelihoods since they were being shuttled to
attend rallies, some voluntarily and yet some without consent leaving their daily chores in order to
attend political rallies. Zanu PF being fingered as the main violator in this regard. For example, on
the 25th of July people were ferried to Mucheke stadium in Masvingo in lorries, buses, kombis and
even a train was assigned for attendance purposes. Some of the villagers came from as far as
Chirumanzu, Mwenezi and Chiredzi. However, after the rally they were left without transportation
and food.
Freedom of assembly and association, right to vote and secrecy of the vote became seriously
compromised. Zanu PF long term investment in structures of coercion in the form of war veterans,
traditional leaders, youths and security members appear to have paid off. Zanu PF resurrected these
structures of coercion across the country towards the elections. They indeed obliged and instilled
psychological fear among communities. On 22/7/13, in Zoma area ward 1 (Gutu west- Masvingo), a
Zimbabwe National Army serving member who is a colonel and war veteran reportedly shocked the
community when in his address to the community he warned them against voting for the MDC-T lest
the ghost of June 2008 returns to haunt them. He reportedly mentioned some names of people from
ward 1 and 2 who were killed during that dark era and told the people that Zanu PF was prepared to
2