June 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
As Fear Reigns
June has been a rather bleak month with many Zimbabweans even deeper in the quagmire of
despair. The multi-currency regime was banned after ten years while the Zimbabwe dollar
was reintroduced through a Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 under the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe (Legal Tender) Regulations 2019 on Monday the 24th of June.
The re-introduction of the Zimbabwean currency was needed in the general sense. However,
what is mostly causing distress and panic among the citizenry is the fear that the currency reintroduction will lead to the ‘looting’ of peoples’ foreign currency, as was the case when the
bond note was introduced three years ago. It is also quite disconcerting that citizens just wake
up to life changing news without notice, particularly having been psyched to the possibility
of a new national currency by year end, according to the President’s announcement. This had
been buttressed by the Finance Minister saying it would take at least nine months.
Much has been said about the Zimbabwean dollar return as intended to stabilise the economy
and ensure that ordinary folk are cushioned from spiralling price controls. However, what is
apparent is that Zimbabweans have lost trust in the country’s financial system and have no
confidence in the local currency.
Indications in the month of June are that there is a marked increase in abductions and
intimidation allegedly perpetrated by state security agents; a surge of 74, 4% cases from the
month of May to June. Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists,
labour union representatives from Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
(ARTUZ) and anyone suspected of planning protests against the worsening economic
conditions that the country is facing have all been targeted. ARTUZ President Obert
Masaraure was abducted from his home and tortured on the 6th of June by suspected State
agents. The assailants, armed with rifles, broke into Masaraure’s home at midnight,
confiscated his wife’s phone and force marched him to the bushes where he was beaten and
interrogated. The perpetrators accused Masaraure of encouraging teachers to revolt against
government.
Cases recorded during the month show that President Mnangagwa’s government is getting
increasingly intolerant of dissent. This could explain the 30% increase in violations from the
Month of May to June from 157 to 204. Mashonaland Central proved to be the hotspot of
intimidation and harassment violations accounting for 40% of cases followed by Harare at 14,
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