JUNE 2017
The fact that Zanu PF is looking forward to seven more
melee unconfirmed reports alleged a police officer was
rallies and the country is anticipating the 2018 plebiscite
killed.
places opposition party supporters and citizens at large at
high risk. There are cases in Vungu, Chiwundura and
Food and other aid distributions as one source increasing
Sanyati where MDC-T supporters have been victimised for
human rights violations have been within ZPP’s radar since
wearing party regalia. There have even been cases where
2006 and continue to be. In this particular report there are
people are violated for wearing T-shirt distributed by non-
18 cases reported from 5 provinces where the right to food
governmental organisations. A case in point is that of
is breached as compared to 35 in May and nine in April
Matabeleland South where villagers from Ntembeni in
from nine and seven provinces, respectively. The graph of
Gwanda North were encouraged to disassociate themselves
2016 food violations of the same period is inverted as the
from non-governmental organisations to avoid losing out
violations dipped to 10 in May, from 18 in April while June
on charitable projects like food aid and food for work.
recorded a rather high 28 cases of food violations. The
numbers are irregular, however, it must be noted that
In Bikita South and East there have been cases where
despite the fact that most food aid programmes have folded
people are violated under the guise of patriotism. Teachers
cases of food violations continue to occur.
and school heads are forced to contribute money in
preparation for Heroes Day commemorations. Those
There are cases where community leaders are already
requesting the money have no regard for interests and
threatening to sideline opposition party supporters in
welfare of the people concerned. The commemorations
upcoming food aid programmes. The people under threat
have been politicised since Zanu PF is in charge of
have taken the warnings seriously after observing in the
fundraising accuse teachers, who are failing to pay, of
just ended food distribution programmes that community
belonging to the opposition.
leaders do follow through their threats of side lining those
that do not support the ruling party. For instance, villagers
Harare, despite recording a low threat level, had incidences
in Makotamo village of Chimanimani West are already
that are evidence of intolerance for divergence. The arrest
being told by the village head, Edward Makotamo, that
of Pastor Evan Mawarire and a student, Ocean Chihota, at a
those not in support of Zanu PF will not get food in the
peaceful demonstration at the University of Zimbabwe was
forthcoming food aid programme. Violations around food
an infringement on people’s right to demonstrate and
distribution might have gone down as most citizens still
petition. Subsequently a student was abducted and
have food in their granaries having harvested from April
questioned for his involvement in the demonstration. Such
onwards.
occurrences reflect how the state thwarts citizens’ freedom
of expression and rights according to section 59.
Several people sustained injuries when chaos broke out
after tear gas was thrown in the city center during rush
hour.
Anti riot police clashed with vendors and other
people because citizens were angered by another spike
throwing incident which left school children injured. In this
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