2.3 Povincial Highlights Bulawayo Metropolitan “Intra party” There was a high prevalence of intra-party conflict within the MDC Alliance in Bulawayo. The party was reportedly working towards restructuring in the face of sustained efforts by ZanuPF to neutralize the main opposition party. This has reportedly resulted in infighting, name-calling, harassment and intimidation. The party nullified some of its structures in the province in order to ‘weed out’ those said to have disregarded the party principles or have become part of ZanuPF. Political tensions have therefore escalated as the fight for the control of the party in the province continues, this is likely to rear an ugly head as such processes are often dominated by human rights violations and nasty scenes of violence. Matabeleland North ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT JULY 2021 “No eye to eye” The political space in this province remained closed. In Binga North, Chief Saba continued to intimidate opposition activists and this month, he reportedly instructed all village heads to report any meeting convened by the members of the opposition and to draw up a list of any opposition members conducting any political activities. With ZAPU set to hold its conference in August there has been a growing prevalence of hate speech and intimidation among members of the party, with intra-party violence happening in Lupane West and Nyamandlovu. The MDC Alliance was responsible for human rights violations when their members led by one Joseph Mpofu threw stones at the house of a Mthwakazi Republic Party member who had just hosted a political meeting at his house. The matter was reported to the police. 13

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