Monthly Monitoring Report
March 2024
Violations against Freedom of Assembly and Association
Several cases of intimidation and forced attendance of events have been recorded with ZANU PF
widely recorded forcing citizens to participate in public events thereby violating their right to freedom
of assembly and association. In Ward 10 of Makoni West, in Manicaland Province, ZANU PF officials
under the leadership of Councilor Pedzisai Chidziya are reported to be forcing villagers to contribute
towards the financing of the Independence Day commemorations scheduled for 18 April 2024. Cashstrapped villagers in about 12 villages were made to pay US$0.50 (in equivalent Zimbabwean
Dollars). Similarly, in Mashonaland Central, ZANU PF activists led by Hwamedza Chamu and Peter
Gemu convened a meeting about Independence Day Celebrations in Ward 11 of Mazowe Central at
Nyachuru shopping center. Chamu and Gemu ordered villagers to contribute US$3.00 towards the
Independence Day commemorations without fail. Similar cases were recorded in Buhera South
among others. In Ward 28 at Jori Business Centre on 24 March, Honourable Mudekunye threatened
villagers that those “who will not attend are enemies of the liberation struggle.” According to the
Constitution
of Zimbabwe (Section 58: 2) ‘No person may be compelled to belong to an association or
Nelson
Chamisa
to attend a meeting or gathering’ hence the forced attendance violates the citizens’ freedom of
assembly and association. In other cases of intimidation and harassment, Mbongeni Dube and a crew
of ZANU PF youths forced villagers and some travelers to attend an official opening of the Pupu clinic
and a monument by President Mnangagwa at Lupane Centre. The forced attendance violates the
citizens’ right to Freedom of Assembly and Association. The Constitution of Zimbabwe (Section 58: 2)
states that no person may be forced to belong to an association or to attend a gathering.
ZPP recommends that the Parliament and the Zimbabwe Human
Rights Commission make deliberate efforts to investigate and
prosecute perpetrators of partisan and unfair distribution of
food aid and other human rights violations
ZPP recommends that food aid distribution must be conducted
through official government structures and not through political
party activists
ZPP further recommends that the government must ensure that
authorised personnel to conduct relief aid programmes act in a
professional manner.
The government, professional bodies and political parties
should not use force and intimidation to compel citizens,
especially those struggling economically to contribute towards
national
public
events.
The
act
provokes
fear
and
disgruntlement among citizens as much as it also affects their
day to day lives.
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