Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
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Key Findings and
Mitigation Measures
Weaponisation of Criminal Procedures
The ZRP, in the name of law enforcement, has been the guise of banning CCC rallies and
gatherings across the country through the weaponisation of criminal procedures to
persecute those exercising their fundamental rights. On 14 January, 25 individuals,
including Amos Chibaya and Costa Machingauta, Members of Parliament for Mkoba and
Budiriro, respectively, were arrested during a private meeting and charged under
Section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for participating in a
gathering with intent to incite public violence. They were accused of breaching the
Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) and were later granted bail on 27 January.
Police allegedly fired teargas at the gathering and beat up several opposition members
before bundling them into a police truck. The arrest of the 25 activists barely came a
week after the assault of CCC elderly members in Murewa by alleged Zanu PF youths and
two weeks after the arrest of Ward 27 CCC Councillor Herbert Gomba on 4 January by
Southerton Police. Gomba was arrested at a residents' meeting where he was scheduled
to unveil new community boreholes and hear the residents' concerns and feedback.
Recommendations
Civil society should compile reports on incidents in which the police displayed political
prejudice and submit them to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PPC) on Defence, Home Affairs and Security
Services. The police must be educated on their constitutional roles through public
engagement training and workshops. This will help ensure the impartiality of the
police service in the execution of its mandate.
Increase constitutional awareness campaigns, especially on the constitutional
mandate of the security sector and the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act,
especially as we head towards the harmonised elections.
January 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
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