June 2019
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
On 26 June the world commemorated the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
This day is particularly painful for those who endured torture and abductions especially in
2008. Zimbabwe has a sad history of abductions and torture. To this day human rights
activists such as Itai Dzamara and Paul Chizuze have never been heard from or seen again
after they disappeared in 2015 and 2012 respectively. It is against this background that we
note with extreme concern that Zimbabwe is slowly cascading back to the use of this
inhumane and degrading treatment of citizens. A clear sign for commitment to a better
environment is for government to become a signatory of the Convention Against Torture and
other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) which has been in
effect since 1987.
ZPP noted with interest the recent ‘naming and shaming’ by Zanu PF youth league of highranking party officials whom they accused of corruption. Subsequently on the 26th of June the
ruling party then established a Commission of Inquiry into allegations levelled against the
named officials. These events are intriguing, to say the least, considering that government
(and conversely ruling party members) have a poor history of decisively dealing with
corruption. One may easily recall that in 2018 President Mnangagwa publicised a list of over
100 people accused of externalising foreign currency, yet to this day no single arrest has been
made against any of the accused. ZPP will be monitoring this new development with keen
interest as we believe this would be a litmus test on the Mnangagwa administration’s dealings
with corruption-especially on one of their own.
Watchlist
The deteriorating economic situation in the country is most certainly an area of concern and
may likely be a trigger for volatile reactions from citizens. Pupils from some schools in the
capital have taken to the streets, protesting poor services in their respective schools which can
easily be linked to the country’s deteriorating economy. Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 has
also brought about adverse changes which we will continue to monitor.
Abductions and intimidations that are growing at an alarming rate are also an issue that needs
close monitoring. Zimbabwe’s history in this regard is rather poor and we are keen on
ensuring that the situation does not degenerate to alarming levels such as experienced in
2008. Therefore, ZPP will be actively working with key stakeholders to ensure that these
violations are timely reported and where possible, acted upon to preserve lives.
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