PROVINCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Midlands
Manicaland
In the Midlands, 19 human rights violations were
Manicaland saw a significant drop in human
reported, highlighting a persistent disregard for
rights violations, from 24 in January to 9 in the
people's
latest reporting period. However, threats of
freedoms.
The
violations
included
intimidation, harassment, and threats of violence,
violence,
largely linked to the ruling party's contentious bid to
intimidation,
extend the presidential term beyond 2028. Chief
Residents struggled to access social services.
Chireya and Councilor Mapani in Gokwe North
In Chimanimani East, ZANU PF's Brighton
District's Kabuyuni Constituency used their powers to
Dzakandwa intimidated community members,
intimidate and threaten victims on account of their
blocking
known or perceived opposition to the 2030 agenda. In
development programs due to their perceived
so doing, they suppressed dissenting voices and
opposition party affiliations. This suppressed
undermined freedom of expression. Furthermore,
dissenting voices and created a climate of
constituencies like Chriumanzu South, Redcliff, and
fear, undermining freedom of expression,
Gokwe
association,
Nembudziya
saw
persistent
political
unfair
and
their
and
food
aid
distribution,
harassment
participation
assembly.
persisted.
in
In
school
Ward
15,
discrimination in government-sponsored food aid
Chikanga Constituency, Councilor Charles
distributions,
hungry
Kavhenga and party chair Mildred Dangen
communities. Intimidation of individuals and liberation
misappropriated food aid meant for people
war veterans was also reported in Chiwundura,
with disabilities, denying them their rightful
Shurugwi, and Gweru, as ZANU PF sought to silence
allocations and intimidating them instead.
disproportionately
affecting
dissenting voices opposing the extension of the
President's term beyond 2028. These violations
disregarded fundamental freedoms, including political
rights,
freedom
of
expression,
assembly,
and
association, as well as the right to adequate food.
Mashonaland Central
Mashonaland Central witnessed 11 human rights violations, including forced attendance at a ZANU PF
rally in Guruve North, where citizens were coerced into attending a meeting at Chipangura Primary
School on February 15, 2025 highlighting the ruling party's continued disregard for citizens' rights to
freedom of assembly and association. Furthermore, the burst of the slime dam at Ran Mine on February
20, 2025, released toxic substances into the environment, posing a significant threat to the health and
safety of local communities. The potential contamination of borehole water sources is a major concern,
as cyanide and other chemicals could seep into the water supply, making it hazardous for human
consumption. To address these violations, it is essential to hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring that
those responsible for forced attendance at rallies and environmental degradation are brought to justice.
Additionally, immediate action should be taken to mitigate the damage caused by the slime dam burst
and prevent further harm to local communities. Measures should be taken to prevent similar
environmental disasters in the future, including regular inspections of mining facilities and enforcement of
environmental regulations.
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