METHODOLOGY
This report is based on reports from ZPP long-term community based human rights monitors who
observe, monitor and record cases of human rights violations in the constituencies they reside. ZPP
deploys a total of 420 community-based primary peace monitors (two per each of the 210 electoral
constituencies of Zimbabwe). These community-based monitors reside in the constituencies they monitor.
They compile reports that are handed over to ZPP provincial coordinators who man the different ZPP
offices in the ten administrative provinces of Zimbabwe. Upon receipt and verifications of the reports
from the monitors, the provincial coordinators compile provincial monthly monitoring reports, which are
then consolidated at national office into the ZPP monthly monitoring reports published in retrospect.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The month of August 2014 witnessed a significant decline in the number of recorded incidents of
politically motivated human right violations despite Zanu PF holding its Youth and Women’s League
conferences. There were 196 cases compared to the 229 incidents witnessed during the month of July.
The two Zanu PF conferences were held amid reports of alleged abduction and kidnapping which
were dispelled by some members of the party, massive vote buying and violence. The youth and
women’s league congresses endorsed President Robert Mugabe as the sole party candidate for the
2018 while his wife who has made a surprising leap into the political fray was also endorsed as the
secretary for the Women’s League.
Despite the significant decline in the cases of political violence, incidents of farm invasions were
recorded in Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland North and South. The latest case was recorded on 26
August when Zanu PF MP from Muzarabani South Christopher Chitindi refused to hand over keys or
unlock Samaphiri farm's main gate for remaining white owners Sabastian Zietsman and his mother
Elizabeth Zietsman. The Zietsmans tried in vain to get the keys back but Chitindi threatened them
before ordering them to return back to Harare. Farm guards were chased away and replaced by
Chitindi’s brothers. Contacted for a comment, Chitindi confirmed the take-over of the farm adding
that the farm had been allocated to new black owners.
250
200
229
196
188
150
100
50
0
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June
July
MDC-T MP for Gweru Cecil Zvidzai was
detained at Gweru central police station on 16
August. Zvidzai is being charged with unlawfully
smuggling in 847 windup radios in October 2010.
Zvidzai was made to write a statement over the
same by Detective Sergeant Mabvuregudo of CID
law and order and inquiries are being made in
connection with the case of smuggling. He denies
the allegations.
August
On the sixth of August the manager at Ingwe Safaris which is part of Kanondo Safaris owned by
Minister of Transport Obert Mpofu was assaulted by unknown soldiers, for inciting co-workers to
demand their salaries for the past 9 months. The soldiers came at around 1900hrs and called the
victim and told him that they were sent by Minister Mpofu to attend to the workers problem, but when
he came out of the farm house he was assaulted by the soldiers who used Mopani tree branches. He
sustained some bruises and sores. They further accused him of being a sell-out.
FOOD AND OTHER FORMS OF AID VIOLATIONS
Countrywide there were a few incidents of violations involving accessing food hand-outs. The
incidents recorded included being denied access to food because of one’s political affiliation, being
ordered to denounce one’s party in order to access food, being ordered to produce a party card before
accessing food and being ordered not to wear party regalia at the food distribution point. Below are
highlights of these incidents in the various provinces.
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