The trio who were moving around Rimuka ward 3 pulling down CCC posters were allegedly
assaulted by CCC supporters led by Raphael Zuze. It is said that the ruling party youths
were assaulted in ward 13. The incident happened on 30 July 2023. In Chegutu Central,
Zanu PF youth Ngonidzashe Chakandika was assaulted for putting President Emmerson
Mnangagwa ‘s campaign posters outside a fast-food outlet, Chicken lnn. The incident
happened in Chegutu Central on 24 July. Chakandika allegedly defied instructions from
Chicken Inn employees, who confronted him to pull down Mnangagwa’s campaign material
on a pole adjacent the outlet. Following a tussle, Chikandira was assaulted by Chicken Inn
staff. It is alleged that the Chicken Inn staff claimed that they were instructed by the
Manager to remove any poster pasted close to their premises. The case was reported to
Chegutu Central Police Station.
ZHRC tells Chiefs to stay away from politics
Traditional leaders have been reported as a major perpetrator of human rights violations as
they continue to further the Zanu PF agenda. In many human rights reports they have been
accused of intimidating, harassing and mobilising for the ruling party while violating the
political rights of the citizens. It is against this backdrop that the Zimbabwe Human Rights
Commission (ZHRC) emphasised the need for the traditional leaders to stop mingling in
politics. Their continued partisan approach violates Section 281 of the Constitution of
Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act of 2013 that clearly prohibits traditional leaders from
being members of any political party, participating in any politics or from furthering any
interests of any political party to that effect. According to the Constitution, traditional
leaders should treat all persons within their areas equally and fairly. For this reason, ZPP
noted a case where Chief Gambiza ordered all village heads to put on the ruling party
regalia during the funeral proceedings of a community member. Gambiza, who had put on
the ruling party’s regalia told all mourners that Zanu PF was the only winning party and
everyone under his jurisdiction is mandated to vote for. Chief Saba of Binga North in ward 9
was reported to have told villagers that anyone seen campaigning for the opposition party
Citizens Coalition for Change shall be beaten up and expelled from the village. Saba said
this during the village head meeting and warned village heads that they need to mobilise
for the party.
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