PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
Manicaland
Mashonaland West
The province recorded the highest number of human rights
Mashonaland West Province recorded four human
violations in December, with 21 violations documented,
rights violations in December, involving political
reflecting a slight decrease from 27 in the previous month
interference,
but indicating persistent and serious concerns. The most
Chegutu East Ward 16, political interference by ruling
significant violations related to the politicised and unfair
party actors forced the headmaster of Dombwe
distribution of food and agricultural inputs, threats to
Secondary School to resign after being labelled as
personal security, and restricted access to social and
aligned to an internal ruling party faction, creating
economic rights. In Chipinge South, Ward 30 under Chief
fear and undermining his rights and freedom from
Mahenye, government farming inputs were distributed
political persecution. In Sanyati District, Katsuro Village
exclusively through ruling party structures after the legally
(Ward 18), village heads and community members were
mandated farmers’ committee was sidelined, resulting in
threatened with punishment and blacklisting by a
discrimination, corruption, and unequal access to support.
ruling party district official for failing to attend Zunde
A
Ramambo and party activities, amounting to coercion
similar
pattern
was
recorded
in
Dangamvura
intimidation,
violations
of
and
political
discrimination.
rights,
freedom
In
Constituency, where a farmer was denied seeds, fertiliser,
and
of
and pesticides solely on the basis of not being a ruling
association, and participation in public affairs. Similar
party member. In Rusape, Makoni South, a woman was
incidents of verbal harassment and discrimination
assaulted during a food aid distribution after being
against perceived opposition supporters were reported
excluded for perceived opposition affiliation, highlighting
in other parts of the province, particularly around
the intersection of political discrimination and violations of
public spaces and input distribution points.
personal security. The province also recorded serious
socio-economic rights violations in Buhera South Ward 33,
where approximately 250 people face eviction from
council land they had occupied with the approval of
traditional leaders, placing their rights to housing, security
of tenure, and dignity at risk. Collectively, these cases
reflect a broader trend of politicisation of public resources,
abuse of authority, and growing insecurity for vulnerable
communities.
Bulawayo
In December, three human rights violations were documented in Bulawayo, with the most serious affecting socioeconomic rights and political freedoms. Residents in several areas continued to experience prolonged lack of access to
clean water and irregular refuse collection, undermining the rights to health, dignity, and a safe environment. In the
context of the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, following the death of Hon Desire Moyo, a Member of Parliament,
an independent candidate reported systematic destruction of campaign materials by suspected ruling party activists. The
tearing down of posters and campaign materials constituted political intimidation and interference with the electoral
process, violating the rights to political participation, freedom of expression, and equality in electoral competition.
Although the election ultimately proceeded and was won by the ruling party, the reported acts contributed to a climate
of fear and unfair political contestation.
Report
Human Rights Violations
0774883417 0774883406
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