Political Rights
ZPP recorded a total number of 19 cases in which the political rights of
citizens were violated. Midlands recorded 7 cases, which was the highest
number of political rights violations during the month. Mashonaland West
and Masvingo recorded 3 cases each. In one case in Midlands, on the 10th
of November at Gokwe Central constituency, Ward 15, it was reported that
community members summoned their Member of Parliament, David
Masvisvi for him to respond to allegations of partisan p distribution of
Pfumvudza inputs . Masvisvi allegedly remarked that the scheme only
targeted ZANU PF members and hence members from Citizen Coalition for
Change should either join the ruling party or will continue to be excluded
from receiving inputs under the Pfumvudza program. Several cases were
reported in other provinces where opposition members were intimidated or
assaulted for their political affiliation. At Chiriga Township in Gutu West,
Ward 6, ten ZANU PF members severely assaulted five members of the
Citizen Coalition for Change on 9 November. It is said that ZANU PF
assailants were led by Benson Gadzikwa after they found CCC members
campaigning. CCC members were beaten with baton sticks, stones, and
logs. Some of the victims included women.
While the majority of cases recorded targeted members of the opposition
party, a case of intimidation was reported against a ZANU PF member. On
15 November in ward 8 of Zhombe, a ZANU PF member was reportedly
threatened and intimidated by three members of Citizen Coalition for
Change. It was reported that John Huni, Norman Ncube and Takawira
Moyo threatened to beat the victim because he belongs to ZANU PF. The
three further threatened to set his homestead on fire should he continue his
support of the ruling party.
The constitution of Zimbabwe (Sec 67) provides for ‘every Zimbabwean
citizen’ to enjoy the right to ‘make political choices freely, form, join and
participate in the activities of a political party or organisation of their choice
and campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause.’ The
violations recorded in November by ZPP clearly demonstrate an onslaught
of this right by members of ZANU PF and other public officials.
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