KEY HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Politically motivated threats and violence
In September, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented 7 cases of assault and 87
incidents of politically motivated threats of violence, primarily involving harassment and
intimidation. These violations undermine democratic processes, suppress dissenting voices,
and severely restrict freedom of expression and assembly. The key issues of concern observed
in September 2024 include politically motivated intimidation, coercion and persecution of
citizens. Despite the incidents being recorded across the provinces, most of the incidents
occurred in rural areas, often coupled with denial of rights, such as access to food. Traditional
leaders, party officials, and activists from the ruling ZANU PF party used public speeches,
targeted harassment, and violence to intimidate opposition supporters and citizens perceived
to support other parties. Victims were forced to join the ruling party to avoid persecution and
access government support schemes, including food aid. In Chiundura Constituency, Midlands
Province, three ZANU PF members harassed a female victim, accusing her of being a "traitor"
and threatening her family with unspecified action should she continue to ‘go by her ways and
threaten the independence of the country.’ In the Midlands Province again, a male victim was
confronted by ZANU PF activists Jacob Zulu and David Paradza and a third unnamed
accomplice and was instructed to join the party within a month and warned of eviction and
persecution if he failed to comply. The persistent nature of these threats erodes the upholding
of basic rights, particularly freedom of expression, as dissenting voices face systemic
punishment and reprisal. This leads to sheer terror as victims are trapped in a vicious cycle of
fear, reluctant to seek justice, as the mere thought of reporting intimidation and harassment
to the police sends shivers down their spines, anticipating merciless reprisal, ruthless
vengeance, and unrelenting persecution from perpetrators.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project therefore urges the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to
investigate and prosecute perpetrators without any favour of political affiliation and the
government to ensure there are effective protection mechanisms for victims as well as
traditional leaders to promote a culture of tolerance and democratic participation in their
communities.
SEPTEMBER VIOLATIONS
Malicious Damage of Property
Threats of Violence
Assault
Unfair distribution of food aid
Restricted freedom of assembly
Displacements
Unjustified arrests
Rape
Inhuman treatment
Restricted access to social services
Hate speech
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