PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
Mashonaland East
Harare
Human rights violations remain a critical concern in
In March 2025, 14 human rights violations were documented
Mashonaland East, with 16 cases recorded in March alone,
affecting 225 people (139 men and 86 women) , thus reflecting
impacting 382 people (170men and 212 women). In
a broader pattern of state repression and shrinking civic
Murehwa, residents have been subjected to systemic
space. On March 11, police violently dispersed a gathering at
intimidation and coercion, primarily linked to ruling party
Kuwadzana 6 shopping center, deploying 15 officers and two
activists. In Goso area, Mutoko South Constituency,
unmarked grey pickup trucks. Participants, accused of
community members were forced to contribute $1 each
engaging in a political discussion, were threatened by
under the guise of transport for agricultural inputs—funds
plainclothes agents and warned against speaking on current
that were later diverted to fund Independence Day
political rumors, an overt attack on freedom of expression. A
celebrations. Those who resisted were threatened. Further
day earlier, on March 10, police in St Mary’s Chitungwiza,
reports
political
intimidated a citizen attempting to facilitate a human rights
manipulation. In Murewa East, headmen and health
workshop, threatening him with assault for engaging in civil
workers were summoned by District Chairman Elias Svowa
society work, clearly violating his right to association. Tensions
to a meeting where they were instructed to spy on and
peaked on March 31 when protests organized by former ZANU
report individuals suspected of participating in planned
PF senior member Blessed Geza were met with an
demonstrations. To incentivize compliance, each attendee
overwhelming security response. Despite low turnout largely
received $20, an apparent attempt to buy loyalty and
attributed to fear and intimidation those who did participate
suppress dissent. These acts violate basic rights to
were brutally dispersed with tear gas. A total of 98 individuals
freedom of expression, association, and protection from
were arrested for what authorities labeled as an "unlawful
coercion, further entrenching a culture of fear and political
gathering." This heavy-handed response laid bare the state’s
control in the region. These actions appear to infringe
intolerance for dissent and blatant disregard for constitutional
upon fundamental human rights, including freedom from
rights to peaceful protest and petition. These incidents unfold
intimidation, coercion, and surveillance. In Murehwa Ward
against a backdrop of deepening economic crisis, systemic
30, Mashonaland East, two male CCC activists assaulted a
corruption, and entrenched impunity. The state’s repeated use
ZANU PF supporter and issued death threats against him,
of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful detentions to
targeting him for his political affiliation with the ruling
silence critics not only contravenes Zimbabwe’s constitutional
party, pointing to political intolerance.
guarantees but further entrenches a culture of fear.
reveal
targeted
surveillance
and
9
MARIAN CHOMBO, MASHONALAND WEST MINSTER OF STATE FOR PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS AND DEVOLUTION DENOUNCING THE PROTESTS