Executive Summary
This year’s Independence celebrations resulted in human rights violations both
before and after the event in terms of political harassment and intimidation cases
perpetrated by ruling Zanu PF party supporters and some community leaders.
Figure 1: Military truck transporting people to Independence celebrations in Kariba
There were reports of people forced to contribute money, livestock or other food
items towards the Independence celebrations. Those who failed to contribute were
accused of being opposition party supporters and unspecified action was threatened
against them. In Mbare, Harare, flea markets were closed as traders reported that
they were forced to attend the Independence celebrations. There were similar
reports of business closures in Nyanga North as traders were forced to attend
Independence celebrations. The demand for cash and other contributions took place
as the cash liquidity crunch intensified. Queues at most financial institutions got
longer while it was not surprising for clients to be offered cash in the form of bond
coins as the bond note disappeared.
There were intra-party violence cases reported particularly in the ruling Zanu PF
party where succession disputes are reported to have left Political Commissar
Saviour Kasukuwere on the verge of being ousted. The process has often been a
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