7
Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
Provincial Outlook
Harare
Citizens were denied their constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and
association, a clear sign of shrinking of the democratic space for civil-political
engagement and participation. On 14 January, police officers from the support unit
sanctioned Greater Grace residents meeting in Glenview organised by Glenview North
legislator Fani Munengami and ward Councillors Tonderai Chakeredza and Glaudhenzia
Marera. The engagement which was a feedback meeting between residents and their
duty bearers to improve service delivery was viewed as a political meeting by the
police. About 45 police officers clad in riot gear were deployed at Glenview New Hall
resulting in the meeting being cancelled. In Mbare there were clashes between Zanu
PF and CCC members on 15 January, as CCC President Nelson Chamisa was expected to
visit the area and interface with CCC party structures. Zanu PF youths led by Mbare
youth chairperson Cde Olembe mobilised from Carter house community members who
barricaded roads to intercept Chamisa’s vehicles. The youths also went on a rampage
beating up people. Barber shops, perimeter walls and other structures belonging to
CCC members were vandalised.
Bulawayo
The tiff between Bulawayo City Council and the ‘illegal’ vendors became politically
charged in the quest to relocate the latter into a designated site. Zanu PF took
advantage and coerced the vendors to buy party cards to be protected. Zanu PF
Bulawayo Provincial Chairperson for the Youth League, identified as Tendai Charuka
forced vendors to join Zanu PF. Charuka further told the vendors that only those
aligned to Zanu PF in terms of membership and participation would be protected from
being cleared out or arrested. Vendors were then forced to buy Zanu PF membership
cards that were going for $2.00USD. Zanu PF continued to discriminate against other
political members in accessing water from borehole sources. The party continued to
use water and food as weapons to campaign. This was revealed when a Zanu PF
member identified as Kholwani Nleya requested Zanu PF membership cards from
anyone who sought to access the borehole and barred anyone without one.
January 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
25