Monthly Monitoring Report
January 2024
Harare
Mashonaland West
In Highfield West and East areas, unidentified ZANU
PF youths intentionally misled community members
calling them to attend a residential stands
distribution meeting which was to be addressed by
party officials. However upon gathering, the masses
were ferried to the City Sports Centre under the
pretense of a change of venue, only to find out that
they were to attend a church service held by Pastor
Passion Java. The citizens were forced to attend the
service, disrespecting their freedoms of assembly
and association as well as freedom of religion as
enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe in
Sections 58 and 60 (1b). Intimidation was reported
in Epworth South on 17 February 2024. ZANU PF
activists led by Kudakwashe Mutungagore and other
district leaders reportedly conducted a cell
restructuring exercise, collecting residents personal
information against their will. The exercise which
was reportedly conducted under the slogan,
“Simukai Tiverengani” (Stand up, let's count each
other), was characterized by intimidation and
harassment. Citizens were forced to join ruling party
cell structures.
In Mashonaland West, there were violations of rights to
education, an assault on a CCC activist, forced
evictions among other violations. In Ward 11 in
Sanyati, a ZANU PF activist Kudakwashe Mlambo and
an Arex officer Mrs Jazire were accused of selling
government inputs for personal gain. The accusations
were raised during a community meeting meant to
deliberate on methods of distributing government aid.
In Chegutu West, a ZANU PF candidate during the 3
February by elections, Clever Kundiona, was
reportedly paying US$5.00 to all voters who would
produce pictures of their ballot papers showing where
they voted. The case was reported at Hatley 2 Primary
School. According to Section 85 (3) of the Electoral
Act, ‘no person shall, directly or indirectly, induce a
voter to display his or her ballot paper after he or she
has marked the same in such a manner as to make
known to any person the name of the candidate for
whom the voter has so marked his or her vote.’
Midlands
In Midlands Province, ZPP recorded cases of assaults, partisan distribution of food and intimidation. Traditional
leaders, including Chief Chireya and village heads in Gokwe North were reported to be forcing citizens to
contribute money towards the building of a ZRP post. The village heads were further recorded threatening to
remove all beneficiaries who fail to pay the amount from the list of food aid beneficiaries. Similarly in Ward 7 of
Mataruse village, Mberengwa East, it was reported that village heads also forced villagers to pay US$1 each
towards the salary of a security guard at the clinic. The call was followed by threats that those that fail to pay
shall be denied access to healthcare at the clinic . At Samabwa Village in Zhombe, a victim of an unknown
political party was assaulted for denouncing ZANU PF by Eddies Ncube. It is said that the victim denounced
the ruling party citing high levels of corruption committed by its members. Ncube and Thomas Moyo then
dragged the victim to a hidden place and beat him with logs. The victim sustained injuries on his back and
reported the case to the police.
Masvingo
In Masvingo, there were cases of partisan distributions of food aid, forced attendance of citizens at ZANU PF
meetings, intimidation and threats of evictions. In 5 cases of food aid distribution, members of the opposition
political parties were deprived of food aid and agricultural inputs on the basis of their party affiliation. In Zaka
North, members of the public were forced to attend a ZANU PF meeting and chant party slogans. The forced
attendance was coordinated by seven youths led by Tinashe Manyanga who acted on the command of ZANU
PF ward Chairperson Sai Pirato. The act violated the citizens’ freedom of assembly and association as well as
their political rights. At Kings Mine community, in the Mashava area, a ZANU PF activist identified as Lydia
Chimbare reportedly addressed the community, compelling everyone to participate in any activity that the first
lady Auxilia Mnangagwa initiated in the community. Chimbare further threatened that those not active risk being
evicted from the mine houses. In a similar fashion, ZANU PF activist Jason Nyandoro threatened non-party
members with evictions from Neshuro, Mugari and Marufu resettlements if they continue to align themselves to
Nelson Chamisa. Nyandoro later forced villagers to buy ZANU PF membership cards for US$2 each.
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