During the month of March, the Midlands Region was dominated by the violation of civil and
political rights, where those that are not part of Zanu PF party did not get access or freedom to
conduct their own activities.
The relaxation of the lockdown regulations exposed the selective application of the law as those
in the ruling party were allowed to gather in large numbers.
Zanu PF openly flouted the 30 people per gathering restriction.
Examples of these are in Headlands and Kwekwe Central constituencies where Zanu PF officials
presided over gatherings of more than 100 party supporters, risking people contracting the
corona virus.On the other hand, opposition supporters were arrested in Chivi when they tried to
convene their own meeting which had the stipulated maximum of 30 people.
In Mashonaland Central cases of politicians threatening the police have been recorded in the past
and this seems to continue occurring. In March 2021, Zanu PF Central committee member John
Nhamburo is alleged to have threatened Mvurwi police over the arrest of three Mvurwi town
council officials who are facing fraud charges.
The arrested trio were Sheri Nyakudya (Town Secretary), Letwin Watambwa (Housing and
Community Services Officer) and Simbarashe Kambare (Housing Clerk). When the three were
arrested Nhamburo is said to have demanded their release saying the party image will be
damaged as Mvurwi council is run by MDC Alliance.
Nhamburo who reportedly owns several stands in Mazowe which he acquired on party ticket is
said to be protecting his stands that were not acquired procedurally. On 5 March a high powered
party delegation was allegedly sent by Nhamburo to Mvurwi police station and before that
Nhamburo had called police officers ordering the release of council officials claiming that their
arrest would put the image of the party into disrepute. The case highlights brazen abuse of law
enforcement who will be otherwise doing their job.
On 21 March about 40 villagers in Murehwa North were forced to convene in Mutsvairo Village
Ward 16 for a ‘developmental meeting’. It is alleged that, Zanu PF Councillor Mhangarai Milton
Chinake forced villagers to convene before he openly told MDC Alliance activists to denounce
their party or risk being denied government aid. During the meeting an MDC activist was told that
he was not welcome to come to village meetings and his name should be removed from all
government assistance programs.
On 14 March a case of arson and right to personal security was reported in Mudzi North in
Musiyani Village Ward 10. It is alleged that, a Zanu PF activist identified as Stanley Joseph
reportedly torched a villager’s house under unclear circumstances. ZPP interviewed the victim,
who said she believed her house was torched because she is a known MDC Alliance activist.
Property and food worth hundreds of dollars was destroyed. No arrest was reported.
In Nkulumane Constituency, Ward 22, some Zanu PF activists are already in election mode,
denying perceived opposition supporters, access to some basic services such as public water. A
ruling party activist identified as Sharon Dube allegedly intimidated citizens who had come to
fetch water at a borehole in the ward. Dube said that opposition supporters had up to August
2021 to use the borehole and after that, only Zanu PF supporters will be allowed to get water
from public water points as the ruling party would have commenced its campaigns.
Please note, these cases are just a few of the many that ZPP has extensively documented.For the
full details of all cases, get in touch with ZPP on zppinfo@myzpp.com
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