Monthly Monitoring Report
February 2024
ZANU PF gains majority in parliament after a series of by-elections
On February 3, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
electoral processes. The ZPP noted incidents of
(ZEC) held by-elections in six constituencies. The by-
intimidation of voters during the February 3 elections,
elections were meant to fill in vacant posts following
such
the recalls by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
Constituency. A ZANU PF affiliate group, Forever
Interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu. The
Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ), and some unidentified
recalled Members of Parliament are Amos Chibaya—
ruling party supporters allegedly stormed the polling
Mkoba
station, intimidating voters, observers, and polling
North,
Willard
Gift
Siziba—Pelandaba-Tshabalala,
Madzimbamuto—Seke,
the
case
in
Ruwa,
Goromonzi
South
Mutasa—
officials at the Ruwa Country Club polling station.
Zvimba East, Admore Chivero—Chegutu West, and
They reportedly demanded that the presiding officer
Stephen Chagwiza—Goromonzi South. In the by-
provide a list of every voter who had cast a ballot that
elections,
electoral
day. In Chegutu Constituency, a civil servant (a female
constituencies, increasing the party’s number of
teacher) said that most teachers in Chegutu were
elected seats in parliament to 150 elective National
subjected to food aid denial on the basis that they
Assembly
thereby
worked and were better able to fend for their families.
majority (which is 140
She further recommended that the government ensure
seats). ZPP recorded incidents of vote-buying in
that non-political players such as NGOs be given the
Chegutu West, violence in Seke, intimidation, and
mandate to distribute government aid for purposes of
harassment of citizens, resulting in a low turnout of
accountability and transparency during distributions. In
voters and pointing towards disenfranchisement and
Matabeleland,
voter apathy. Incidents of violence, among other
North in the Midlands, there were no incidents
notable electoral malpractices, continued to pose a
reported; however, intimidation was rife during the
major challenge for women, youth, and persons with
electoral processes.
ZANU
seats
PF
out
won
of
Nelson
Chamisa
surpassing
the two-thirds
Oliver
as
all
the
six
210
(6)
there,
Pelandaba-Tshabalala,
and
Mkoba
disabilities to participate actively in political and
Intra-party political violence in CCC factions
Following the exit of Nelson Chamisa as the leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in January,
cases of intra-party political violence were witnessed within CCC. In February, ZPP recorded 3 cases of intraparty violence within the CCC party. In Bulawayo province, a CCC activist Albert Mhlanga assaulted a fellow
member of the party following a heated argument about recalls and the role of Sengezo Tshabangu in the
party. Mhlanga further threatened the victim with death saying he was prepared to do whatever was
necessary to see the victim eliminated. In ward 2 of Bubi District, in Matabeleland North, Sibangani Dube and
Jethro Ndiweni, both members of the CCC, engaged in a physical fight over the imposition of candidates and
the differences on new party structures. In the fight, Dube sustained a knee injury. In another case recorded
in the Midlands Province, Silvesta Munyoro of the CCC assaulted a male victim of the same party accusing
the victim of attending a meeting with members of the Tshabangu affiliated faction. The victim sustained
injuries and the matter was reported to the police. On 2 March, intra party violence also erupted in Nyatsime
on Saturday, March 2, during the funeral proceedings of Moreblessing Ali, a Citizens Coalition for Change
(CCC) activist who was murdered by a ZANU PF member, Pius Jamba Mukandi in June 2022. Supporters
who declared their allegiance to Nelson Chamisa refused to be addressed by Job Sikhala, whom they labeled
a “sellout” resulting in some activists throwing missiles at Job Sikhala and shouting obscenities. Job Sikhala
had been asked to address mourners by Ali’s family. The incident was reported to the police, and the family
of Ali issued a statement condemning the disruptions and promised to take legal action.
6