their actions to eliminate political and/or electoral
from the onset of the Biometric Voter Registration exercise
violence
started
Establish and enforce the operationalisation of
consequences some citizens actually think it’s the standard
investigative committees and multi-party liaison
and in the process Zanu PF has been allowed to justify these
committees
acts. The lack of information on the practice has left victims
Desist using hate language and slogans that
resigned to their fate and give tales of the futility of resisting
perpetuate conflict and avoid using food and other
as they not received any protection. In some communities
aid to influence the electorate
ZEC has been used as the authority demanding the recording
Stop traditional leaders, and security agents from
of serial numbers and in other cases citizens have been told
instilling fear in the electorate and encourage the
to leave registration slips for safe keeping. The practice is
establishment of electoral resolution mechanisms
widespread and it has been systematic in the manner that it
in
September
2017
with
the
unfortunate
has been conducted. The concern however is the lukewarm
response of ZEC and the link that is noted between Zanu PF
Executive Summary
cell structures and the demand for recording of serial
There was a 24% increase of violations from 186 cases in
numbers. The concept of the book of life are being subjected
December to 245 violations in January. The majority of
to speaks to some judgement to happen in the future and
violations were around the forced surrender of voter
opens floodgates for acts of violence and the instilling of
registration slips to record serial numbers by mostly Zanu
fear in the electorate all of which are not foundations for
PF members and activists. Traditional leaders who
free, fair and credible elections.
according to section 281 of the Constitution are supposed to
be partisan have been willing accomplices in this practice.
Harassment and intimidation cases increased in January to
Pronouncements by President Emmerson Mnangagwa that
169 recorded violations, followed by an increase in
the elections will be held ‘earlier’ than July 2018 have
discrimination with 57 violations. There is a decrease in
resulted in intense jostling and positioning to gain an
cases of assault with 6 and theft/looting with 8. Manicaland
advantage in the electoral field by candidates and escalated
had the highest recorded violations for January with 62,
the demand for serial numbers on voter slips.
followed closely by Mashonaland Central with 60 and
Masvingo with 38. Discrimination cases have increased as
From the time the ZPP started recording these cases 15 were
the country has entered the rainy season and those tasked
recorded in October, 24 in November, 20 in December and
with distributing government inputs are doing so in a
40 in January. The serial numbers saga has continued in
partisan manner favouring supporters of the ruling party.
most parts of the country unabated making the political
The councillors who are responsible for distribution are
environment non conducive as the electorate is subjected to
party functionaries and engage in this practice to protect
massive intimidation. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
their positions. In Mashonaland Central violations are
(ZEC) acting chairperson Emmanuel Magade condemned
mainly intra-party with members of the G40 faction being
the practice too little too late. The practice has played out
targeted as this province was the stronghold of the G40.
5