June 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
challenges, government banned the multi-currency regime and reintroduced the Zimbabwe
dollar.
The re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar was a surprise move by the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe (RBZ) which, sadly, was declared without proper consultations and follow
through on possible implications of the multi-currency ban. As expected, this vacuum in
information led to suppositions, speculation and as a result people started panic buying,
prices for goods have further shot up while depositors rushed to the banks to withdraw
foreign currency from their Nostro Accounts. One example of escalated prices is that of
Physicians who publicised that they are charging $1800 for consultation, an amount that is at
least threefold an ordinary teacher’s monthly salary.
Currently shops are emptying at an alarming rate. Government has been heavy handed in
pursuing and arresting ‘illegal’ foreign currency dealers roaming most streets while
threatening service providers and traders charging in foreign currency with undisclosed
sanctions. Price controls have already been mooted, and what quickly comes to mind is the
resultant hyperinflation and shortages experienced in 2008. It waits to be seen what other
developments will unfold due to the introduction of the Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019.
An impending health disaster is one of the many areas where the economic challenges that
the country is facing is particularly felt. In previous health hot spots of Glen View in Harare,
ZPP noted that service delivery is further worsening and there is a likelihood of the
recurrence of Typhoid and Cholera outbreaks. Raw sewages have been flowing unattended
for weeks in Glenview South Ward 32 despite residents making numerous reports at various
council offices. ZPP has a documented case of a 12-year-old victim who has since abandoned
school because of vomiting and diarrhoea and is failing to get treatment from the local clinic
that does not have the requisite medication.
In Seke villagers are failing to access clean water as local authorities are failing to service
boreholes. The few working boreholes are contaminated with iron oxide thus villagers have
resorted to walking long distances in search for water. Health institutions in the locality, like
Nyembanzvere clinic, and other local institutions are running dry-further increasing the risk
of uncontained disease outbreaks.
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