PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
Mashonaland Central
In November, Mashonaland Central recorded nine human rights violations, primarily involving politically
motivated intimidation, unfair distribution of government inputs, and restrictions on access to essential
resources. In Ward 9, Mbire, Mubvundika Village, an opposition supporter, was threatened by war veterans
posing as “fishers of men,” who demanded his alignment with the ruling party while promising reparations for
losses suffered during the 2008 violence. The victim now lives in fear, illustrating severe violations of personal
security and freedom of political association. In Mazowe Central, Kakora Business Centre (Ward 10),
beneficiaries of the Pfumvudza program were denied seeds and fertilizers if they had not surrendered maize or
paid fees, reflecting discriminatory and unequal access to resources. Similar patterns were observed in Mt
Darwin West (Ward 16), where only a few households received seeds and herbicides despite broad registration,
and teachers in Zvimba West were excluded from allocations, highlighting systemic inequities.The incidents
spotlight the violations of the right to personal security, political participation, and equitable access to public
resources.
Harare
10 human rights violations were documented in Harare Province primarily involving politically motivated assaults,
intimidation, and restrictions on civic participation. In Chitungwiza Ward 4, opposition supporters were
attacked by ZANU PF affiliates, including four victims at a funeral, violating the right to personal security and
freedom of political association. In Epworth North Ward 6, a local council budget consultation was disrupted by
rogue ZANU PF supporters, forcing council employees to abandon the meeting and the councillor to flee,
highlighting intimidation and obstruction of civic processes. Additionally, in both Epworth North and South,
residents, including predominantly women, were forcibly transported to attend ruling party meetings in Mbare,
with local businesses closed during the event, reflecting coercion, restrictions on freedom of assembly, and
undue political pressure. These incidents demonstrate systemic infringements on personal security, political
rights, and community participation.
Mashonaland West
In November, Mashonaland West recorded 11 human rights
violations, encompassing environmental rights, forced
evictions, land disputes, and politically motivated exclusion
from social programs. In Kadoma Central, Westview Ward
10, overflowing sewage at Lady Tait Primary School posed
serious health risks to children as young as four, highlighting
violations of the right to a clean and safe environment, with
local councillors failing to address residents’ concerns. In
Mt Hampden, over 7,000 families were forcibly evicted from
Willowdale Compound, losing homes and possessions, and
relocated to a site in Nyabira lacking basic amenities such
as water and sanitation, illustrating a pending crisis of the
right to housing and personal security. Land disputes in
Chegutu West’s Stanford Farm displaced ten families, while
in Hurungwe West, residents were excluded from the
Pfumvudza program for failing to pay levies or contribute
grain, reflecting politically motivated discrimination. These
incidents demonstrate systemic threats to basic rights,
including safety, shelter, equitable access to resources,
and participation in community development.
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