Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
Manicaland
In Manicaland Province, the situation was characterised by harassment, intimidation, coercing
villagers to attend Zanu PF meetings as well as partisan distribution of aid. In Chipinge East, ward 18,
people were being forced to attend a Zanu PF political meeting every Wednesday by Chiororo Kenya
the village head, and Samuel Mudhabha who is the aspiring ward 18 councillor in the 2023 elections
under the ruling Zanu PF party ticket. People were reportedly being intimidated to vote for Zanu PF in
the upcoming 2023 elections. In Buhera West, ward 14, Murambinda Growth Point, at Murambinda B
primary, it was reported that there was a Zanu PF rally that was addressed by the First Lady, Auxilia
Mnangagwa. It was said that people around the area were forced to attend the rally. Zanu PF
members also ordered almost all the businesses at the growth point to close and attend the rally.
Masvingo
In Masvingo Province, villagers were reportedly being forced to purchase Zanu PF membership cards.
Village heads were being victimised for allowing opposition political parties to campaign in their
areas. Most villagers perceived to be aligned to the opposition reported rampant harassment and
intimidation. Samuel Janga who is a Zanu PF ward 20 chairperson, Zaka East was forcing villagers to
purchase Zanu PF membership party cards being sold for US$1.00. In Masvingo Central, Lawrence
Matyenyika, the Mhande village head was summoned, heavily interrogated, and harassed by one E
Makombo and the ward 15 councillor identified as Madzima (all Zanu PF members). This was for
allegedly letting CCC supporters converge in the village doing door-to-door campaigns. In Bikita
South, ward 1, it was reported that the situation obtaining in the area was tense with politically
motivated intimidation and harassment being the order of the day. It was said that at every
gathering Zanu PF through its local members uttered intimidated words to the villagers. People were
now living in fear.
February 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
18