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
INTERNAL power struggles within the major political parties of Zanu PF and the MDC-T intensified
during the month of July leading to a significant rise in the number of politically motivated human
rights violations. The number of violations rose from 188 recorded in June to 229 during the month
under review.
The ruling Zanu PF party set new rules that will see officials who have not served for at least five
years in its provincial structures fail to make it into the central committee at its December elective
congress. The move set the tone for fierce fighting for positions ahead the party’s Women’s League
and Youth League conferences.
In clear violation of the party’s own regulations, First Lady Grace Mugabe was in July at her birthday
celebration was nominated to lead the women’s league. The party’s regulations stipulated that for one
to be elected into the women’s league they should have been a member of the party for the past 20
years and also have previous records of serving at national level. Grace Mugabe was tipped to take
over from Oppah Muchinguri who has been the women’s league secretary for the past 19 years.
As the internal power struggles raged on within the ruling party, Zanu PF MPs Masango
Matambanadzo (Kwekwe Central) and Owen Ncube (Gokwe-Kana), allegedly exchanged blows in
public in Kwekwe in July over allegations of instructing youths to perform acts of arson.
400
300
286
209
200
224
181
217
188
229
100
0
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The month witnessed the battle to control the
structures in the MDC-T between those on Tendai
Biti’s Renewal Team and those supporting party
president Morgan Tsvangirai. A tribunal convened
by MDC-T Renewal Team moved to expel party
leader Morgan Tsvangirai and national
chairperson Lovemore Moyo but the Tsvangirai
faction dismissed the expulsion.
Violence on resettled farms continued during the
month when Zanu PF Goromonzi South MP
Petronella Kagonye was implicated in a violent land wrangle with over 7000 party supporters. She
was accused of attempting to grab housing stands she had earlier allocated to over 7000 Zanu PF
members ahead of last year's harmonised elections.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Farm invasions continue to happen long after the government had indicated that it had completed the
land reform program. A group of soldiers are currently camped at Piedmont farm in Matepatepa
Bindura North, Mashonaland Central after chasing the white farmer away. The soldiers have
constructed a boom gate at the farm entrance to monitor and vet any strangers.
Towards the end of the month, there were serious clashes between the police and the Chingwizi
villagers in Mwenezi East resulting in two police vehicles being burnt and scores of people being
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