PROVINCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Masvingo
This report also highlights Masvingo Province, which recorded 26 violations, up from last month 11. Key
human rights violations have been reported in various wards, including Ward 16 of Bikita East, where
Councillor Gladys Muchuchuru distributed wheat, but community members were unexpectedly asked to
pay $2-3 for transport, sparking discontent. Meanwhile, in Masvingo, the New Start Centre's closure has
denied the local population, mostly women, access to essential health services, including cervical cancer
screening, HIV and TB testing, family planning, and STIs treatment. In Charamba village, Zaka South
Constituency, Wilson Charamba, a child care worker and VIDCO chairperson, denied a female victim her
agricultural inputs from the Pfumvudza program, despite her contributing to the village levies and
registration. Furthermore, community members in Gutu Central were coerced into attending ZANU PF
meetings, where they were deceived into believing they needed to bring their national identification
cards for fertilizer distribution. The meeting featured intimidating speeches, including one by Mrs.
Musarurwa and Mr. Dandira, who advocated for President Mnangagwa's extension in power until 2030.
Additionally, over 150 people were turned away from the Chiredzi Registry on February 13, 2025, due to a
claimed lack of ink, highlighting the obstacles faced by citizens in accessing essential documents and
services.
Harare
In
Bulawayo
Harare,
10
were
In Bulawayo Province, a relatively low number of
documented, including assault, intimidation and
human rights violations were reported (4
harassment and unjustified arrest. In Epworth, Citizens
incidents), which include malicious damage to
Coalition
property. Although the National Youth Day
for
human
Change
rights
(CCC)
violations
supporters
were
assaulted by ZANU PF youths for opposing the 2030
celebrations
agenda. The incident, a violation of the victims'
peacefully, isolated incidents of intimidation
personal security, highlighted escalating political
marred the event. ZANU PF youths coerced
tensions surrounding the ruling party's contentious
informal traders, including vendors, to attend
"2030 agenda". Other incidents underscore the
the celebrations at the ZITF hall. Moreover, the
erosion of fundamental freedoms such as freedom of
city's deteriorating service delivery situation
expression. The case of journalist Blessed Mhlanga's
continued to undermine citizens' access to
unjustified
detention
fundamental human rights, including the right to
demonstrate how political events can stifle free
clean water and sanitation, as the provision of
speech and media freedom. The court’s denial of bail
potable water remained inadequate as well as
and prolonged detention sends a chilling message to
the right to a healthy environment, as poor
journalists,
waste
arrest
warning
and
them
prolonged
against
reporting
on
on
management
February
and
21st
lack
of
passed
proper
sensitive topics or criticizing those in power. The wife
sanitation infrastructure posed health risks. The
of Blessed Geza, a war veteran who publicly
crackdown by local authorities in the city centre
demanded that ZANU PF must go, was repeatedly
disproportionately affected vendors, who rely
questioned on her husband’s whereabouts by the
on informal trading to earn their livelihoods. The
Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigation
situation highlights the need for improved
Department.
service delivery and protection of human rights,
During
the
questioning,
subjected to intimidation and harassment.
she
was
particularly for vulnerable populations.
9