Provincial Summaries
Bulawayo
Most of the violations recorded are a result of political intolerance and intraparty conflict. Heavy police presence on a select hampered people’s freedom of
assembly, movement and expression.
Date
HR Violated
Provincial highlights
9 November
Right to
Shelter
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) served 100 families residing at Bulawayo Municipal Compound near Madlodlo beer
garden under Mzilikazi/Makokoba Municipality with eviction notices. The council told the families that the compound was
to be used for accommodation of council workers like municipal police. Some of the residents have lived in the
compound for nearly twenty years. Affected tenants include *Mary Ndlovu with a family of seven, *Mandla Mpofu and his
family of six as well as *Mphathisi Simela who has a family of five.
When contacted by ZPP, an official from the municipality said the compound is meant for council workers and currently
former employees are subletting the premises. He also said most of the residents owe rentals ranging from $600
upwards but the council is willing to look into their circumstances and negotiate payment plans.
12 November
Freedom of
Expression
War veterans in Pumula were threatened by unknown men for expressing displeasure towards President Mugabe’s
tenure in power. The war veterans held a secret meeting at Old Pumula shopping centre where they vowed to continue
with the meetings until more people joined them in calling for the president not to stand in the 2018 elections.
13 November
Right to
Personal
Security
*Phillip Musimwa from Bulawayo East was physically harassed and insulted by Orbet Dube and Custon Chiginge who
accused him for defecting from their party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tendai Biti to Zimbabwe People
First (Zim PF) led by Dr Joice Mujuru. No police reports were made.
Freedom of
Association
17 November
Freedom to
demonstrate
and petition
Heavily armed police officers were patrolling the city center, in anticipation of a demonstration against the introduction of
bond notes. There was also a marked increase of roadblocks on main roads leading to the city center. The
demonstration did not take place.