AUGUST 2017
The case was reported to Borrowdale police
(RRB3210042)
assaulting street vendors forcing them to attend the
rally. Many shops were closed from Mbare Msika,
Mupedzanhamo flea market and Matapi areas. The
rally was organized to demonstrate solidarity with
First Lady Grace Mugabe after she had been
condemned for violently assaulting a young women
Gabriella Engels whom she found in the company
of her sons at a hotel in South Africa. Among the
many victims who were forced to attend the rally
were Chipo Chikwengo*,Cathrine Muskwe * and
Simon Chirombe*.
On 25 August, Zanu PF youths allegedly convened
a meeting in Mbare ward 4 where they planned to
reinstate terror bases ahead of the 2018 elections.
Joseph Changara who holds a prominent position in
Mbare
ruling
party structures
addressed
approximately 20 youths at Koffman encouraging
them to start establishing terror bases in the ward.
He said the youths should identify suitable locations
for the torture bases. He was quoted saying these
bases will also serve as ruling party venues to
conduct meetings and devise election campaign
strategies.
On 27 August Zanu PF activists were involved in a
violent fist fight when they failed to reach
consensus over who would control bus rank
operations in Mbare ward 3. It is alleged that a
group of rank marshals led by Oliver Ollembe was
confronted by another group led by Leo Paradza
resulting in violent skirmishes. Paradza’s group
argued that Ollembe’s group was denying them an
opportunity to control the rank according to an
agreement made, that they will rotate control of the
rank every two weeks. The conflict affected nearby
vendors who were forced to halt their operations
since stones were thrown all over the area.
Commuter omnibus drivers drove off for fear of
damage to their vehicles. A resident who asked to
have her identity protected reported that all ranks in
Mbare are controlled by ruling party youths who
collect money for party activities and for personal
use.
In Mbare ward 3 and 4, proprietors were forced to
close down their businesses and attend the Zanu PF
solidarity rally on 30 August. About 40 Zanu PF
youths led by Changara were patrolling Mbare
10
Category of incident
August
2017
July
2017
Assault
9
8
Discrimination
1
0
Theft/looting
1
1
MDP
6
5
Intimidation/harassment
15
14
Displacement
1
0
Unlawful detention
3
2