As the country counts down to the 2018 harmonized election, Heal Zimbabwe has intensified its early warning and early response with special focus on politically volatile areas such as Zvimba, Mudzi, Bikita and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe. These areas among others have recorded the highest number of human rights violations with intimidation constituting the majority of violations recorded.
As part of intensifying its early warning response mechanism, the organization will:
- Provide daily political environmental updates up to the Election Day.
- Highlight areas that need swift redress from responsible institutions such as the police, ZHRC, ZEC and NPRC for the holding of peaceful and violent free elections and other critical stakeholders.
- Facilitate rapid response services to affected people
- Engage political parties on the need to uphold peace and tolerance ahead of elections
Generally, the political environment is peaceful with minimal recorded incidences of violence.
Violations recorded today
Bikita East Ward 15
Village head Ishmael Kanjera who is also the ward Councillor for ward 15, announced on 24 July 2018 at a agricultural seed distribution meeting at Silveira Business that community ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror similar to the one experienced during the 2008 run-off if it loses the 2018 elections.
Nyanga North ward 1
On 24 July 2018, Councillor Edmore Chiteto forced community members to chant political slogans during a ZANU PF campaign rally conducted at Chimusasa Primary school. Earlier before the rally, ZANU PF youths moved around the ward forcing people to attend the rally.
Nyanga North ward 3
On 23 July 2018, Village head Oliver Nyamuvhuruza denied 11 MDC T supporters food aid from the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Village head highlighted that he was not going to distribute food aid to opposition party supporters since they were sell outs. The food distribution exercise took place at Mukunza Primary school.
Hurungwe ward 9
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF ward Chairperson Mondrick Watch and the party’s youth secretary Garikai Majecha moved around the ward threatening people with violence in the event that they vote for MDC Alliance Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa. The two also announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror campaign similar to that experienced during the 2008 runoff election.
Zvimba ward 6
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF member Tinos Mangorere moved around the ward threatening people with violence if they vote for opposition party, MDC-T. Mangorere further revealed that soldiers were going to be deployed in the ward in the event that ZANU PF loses the election.
Buhera ward 33
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF Buhera South Legislator Joseph Chinotimba conducted a meeting in Nedanga Village and announced that people will be heavily assaulted in the event that ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections.
Bikita ward 31
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF aspiring Legislator, Johnson Madhuku and the party’s District chairperson Felix Mazhekete conducted a meeting at Mandadzaka ward centre and announced that people were going to be assaulted in the event that there is a re-run.Madhuku further revealed that people who attend MDC Alliance meetings, will be also heavily assaulted.
Mashava ward 33
On 24 July 2018, Councillor Tawanda Dube denied food aid to opposition party supporters at Kingmine and highlighted that he was not going to distribute to opposition party supporters because they are sell outs.
Mudzi ward 7
On 24 July 2018, Alick Dhaka, a war veteran moved around the ward threatening community members with violence and highlighted that they were supposed to volunteer to be assisted to vote on the day of the election.
Zaka ward 22
On 23 July 2018, Village head Benard Nyava announced during a meeting at his homestead that people were going to be assaulted if they fail to vote for ZANU PF.The Village head further warned that soldiers were going to be deployed in the ward in the event that there is a run–off.
Mazowe Central ward 11
ZANU PF ward chairperson Sydney Chidamba and Councillor Daniel Chinyemba conducted meetings at Manomano Business centre, Nyachuru Business centre and Mufuka Shopping centre on 24 July 2018 and announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror campaign if it loses the 2018 elections.
Chipinge South ward 26
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF ward chairperson Sauro Ngazi addressed a meeting in Machuna Village and highlighted that if community members fail to vote for ZANU PF, they were going to be assaulted. Ngazi further highlighted that in the event that there is a run-off, soldiers were going to be deployed in the ward.
Karoi ward 22
On 24 July 2018, a war veteran only identified as Chundu addressed a meeting at Chebere Business centre and announced that people were going to be assaulted in the vent that ZANU PF loses the election.
Buhera ward 10
On 24 July 2018, Councillor Elijah Marowa directed Village heads Chimombe, Taruving, Zvinavashe and Jeche to mobilize community members to attend ZANU PF meetings. Councillor Marova further highlighted that the village heads were supposed to deny food aid to people who fail to attend ZANU PF meetings.
Conclusion
Heal Zimbabwe continues to call on political parties to shun violence and adhere to principles set out in the Political Parties code of conduct that criminalizes acts of intimidation and violence. Political parties must also enforce the peace pledge that was facilitated by the NPRC in a bid to promote inclusive prevention of violence and conflicts as a strategy for promoting lasting peace. Heal Zimbabwe through its national peace campaign dubbed, 13 Million Voices for Peace will continue to campaign rigorously for peace and tolerance ahead of the 2018 plebiscite.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
