Monthly Monitoring Report
March 2024
Manicaland
Mashonaland West
In Manicaland 39 human rights violations were recorded.
The violations included intra-party violence, intimidation,
assault, denial of government-sponsored food aid as well
as violations of the right to equality and non-discrimination
and the right to education. Violence erupted within the
Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) offices in Mutare ward
11 when party members accused the provincial leadership
of imposing candidates. The meeting ended prematurely
as a result of the violence. Mr Munyonho, the head at
Bvekerwa Primary School in Makoni West denied about 10
students’ entry into the school for outstanding tuition fees.
The learners are part of the government Basic Education
Assistance Module (BEAM) education programme and
were told that the school has not yet received their funds
from the government hence they should return home and
collect 45 USD for fees. No issue of notice was given to
parents. Section 75 of the Zimbabwean Constitution
provides for the right to a state-funded basic education.
Instead of sending the children away, and denying them
access to education, learning institutions should pressure
the government to provide the resources and ensure the
beneficiaries enjoy their rights. BEAM was launched in the
year 2001 as a response to worsening social conditions in
the country that were causing high dropouts of school
children among the poor.
Violations against the rights to water, equality
and non-discrimination, personal security and
statutory rape were recorded in the province. In
ward 8 Kadoma Central a group of FAZ members
led by Faith Matore attacked and assaulted 8
CCC supporters at Bereguru Shopping center
falsely accusing them of convening a political
meeting. The victims were chased away and
after resisting they were assaulted with sticks
and tree logs leaving them nursing injuries. In
Chegutu West at Hurunakazi villages, ZANU PF
Councillor Gibson Mungate allegedly raped a
minor,
his
sister-in-law
but
the
issue
was
resolved at family level resulting in Mungate
being fined an unverified number of cattle to
evade arrest. However, community members
made a police report and Mungate was detained
but was shortly released without being trailed. It
is suspected that he used his connections in the
party raising concerns of abuse of power and a
show of continued culture of impunity favouring
criminal political actors.
Midlands
In Midlands province, violations of political rights, equality, and non-discrimination as well as the right to
food were recorded. In Chikunichawa village, Nemangwe Ward 11, a member of the Forever Associate
Zimbabwe (FAZ) Nancy Mambizo. Mambizo threatened villagers with violence and hunger at a social welfare
meeting, should they defy the leadership of President Mnangagwa and the ruling party. Speaking at the
invitation of Village Head Dozora Marimbe, Mambizo, Nancy said that since all food aid comes from
President Mnangagwa, then all who are against him will die of hunger. She went on to say that if people
reject Mnangagwa' rule, opposition parties will be subjected to violence.
Mashonaland East
In Mashonaland East, ZPP recorded cases where intimidation, forced participation in political activities and
violations against the freedom of assembly and association were committed. ZANU PF youths in Goromonzi
South barricaded roads and forced people to attend a by-election victory celebration party at Tongoview
Grounds in East View Park. They harassed and intimidated citizens who resisted and mobbed them. The
event turned into a campaign rally. 6 CCC members were manhandled and forced to attend the celebrations.
Section 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe outlines citizens’ political rights which allow them to make
political choices freely hence being forced to ‘join or participate in any activity of a political party’ against
their will violates this right.
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