2017
political
Inn in Bindura. Dzikamai Mavhaire and Dr Siphepha Nkomo from Matabeleland also attended. About 600 people from
meeting [
Mashonaland Central Structures were part of the audience. It was alleged that state agents also attended. The meeting
Freedom of
was disrupted when two men suspected to be Zanu PF youths invaded the venue armed with sharp knives. They were
Assembly]
apprehended by ZimPF security personnel inside the venue.
16 February
Right to food
Zanu PF Councillor for ward 3, Onisimo Gono is alleged to have ordered village heads to collect money from villagers
2017
Freedom of
for the President's birthday celebrations, which were to be held at Matobo in Matebeleland South. He is reported to have
assembly and
demanded that every household contribute a dollar and failure to do so would mean being automatically disqualified
association
from accessing food aid from the Social Welfare department. On the same day around 1500hrs Gift Stima Masauso who
is the village chairperson for Chibaya village is alleged to have gone to Stanley Mukorera's home and coerced him to
pay the dollar as the Councillor had instructed. The victim was told that if he fails to pay the dollar for President’s
birthday then his name would be removed from the list of food beneficiaries. This happened at Muzarabani North where
both the victim and perpetrators live. According to the victim, all villagers were reportedly forced to contribute for them
to get maize from social welfare despite paying 2 dollars each as transport fees. The perpetrators are said to have said if
one managed to pay 2dollars for transport and fails to contribute towards the birthday then, the Zanu PF leadership
would subtract the balance from transport fees thus limiting the opportunity to benefit food aid.
23 February
Political
In Mazowe Central constituency Zanu PF ward 27 district members namely Tavengwa Chibira (39) and Nomore
2017
Rights
Kamusinje (34) who are farm workers at Forrester L section were threatening farm workers saying that 2018 is going to
Freedom of
be a tough year as compared to 2008 in terms of violence against anyone who does not attend ruling party meetings and
expression,
support its activities. They went ahead saying opposition supporters are going to be dealt with as the ruling party had
16