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 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 has been peaceful with minimal recorded incidences of violence.
Violations recorded today
Nyanga ward 18
On the 24th of July 2018, Cephas Narini Kapanyota, a former soldier conducted a meeting at Magarati Business and threatened community members with violence in the event that ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections. Kapayota further warned that he has started compiling a list of all known opposition party supporters in the ward and will use the list to assault people after the elections.
Zaka ward 14
ZANU PF aspiring Legislator, Davison Svuure on the 24th of July 2018 conducted a meeting at Chinyabako Business centre and announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror campaign if it loses the 2018 elections.
Hurungwe ward 9
On the 25th of July 2018, Japhet Kazangarare (a war veteran), Jackie Zvokunye, ZANU PF District chairperson and ZANU PF member, Oliver Sikanda threatened community members with violence at Kazangarare Business centre. The three announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash violence in the event that it loses the 2018 elections.
Chikomba ward 18
George Chaurwa had his house burnt by unknown assailants on 25 July 2018 at 02:19am. Before the arson attack, Chaurwa received a tip-off that there was a plan to burn his house. The matter was reported at Chivhu police station and no arrests have been made. Chaurwa lost property worth hundreds of dollars including 26 bags of maize and 75 chickens.
Mazowe ward 9
Josephine Munyaradzi, a ZANU PF member threatened community members with violence at Chirenje Business centre. Munyaradzi warned that opposition party supporters were going to be assaulted during the election run-off and will be denied food aid.
Bikita ward 25
ZANU PF Chairperson, Joseph Muchara on 24 July 2018 moved around the ward threatening community members with violence in the event that ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections. Muchara further warned that opposition party supporters were going to be denied food aid after the 2018 elections.
Mt Darwin ward 1
On the 24th of July 2018, Chikomborero Pambeni, a ZANU PF member moved around the ward threatening community members with violence in the event that ZANU PF loses the elections. Pambeni further warned ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror campaign if it loses the 2018 elections.
Gutu ward 1
Jeffrey Munhongo, a ZANU PF member destroyed campaign material for opposition parties on the 25th of July 2018.
Hurungwe ward 15
On 24 July 2018, Mike Dhliwayo and Tobias Shumba who are part of Mary Mliswa’s campaign team convened a meeting for Village heads at Village head Aleck Muzazi’s homestead. The two instructed the Village heads to inform people that they were going to be heavily assaulted if Mary Mliswa loses the election.
Chiredzi ward 5
On 25 July 2018, ZANU PF aspiring councillor, Blessing Mazinyani disrupted a Social welfare maize distribution exercise at the ward centre and only distributed it to ZANU PF members. Councillor Mazinyani further highlighted that opposition party supporters were going to continue to be denied food aid even after elections.
Mutasa ward 10
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF aspiring Legislator, Jofter Sakukwapanya announced during a meeting at Nyabadza Business centre that people who do not vote for ZANU PF were going to be heavily assaulted.
Mudzi ward 1
On the 25th of July 2018, Youth Officer, Bevern Karukuimba distributed maize from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to ZANU PF members only, Karukuimba also announced that opposition party supporters were going to be assaulted in the event that ZANU PF loses the elections.
Mt Darwin ward 2
ZANU PF member, Taizivei Kandemwa hijacked a Social welfare food distribution exercise at Mukumbura Primary school and distributed food aid to ZANU PF members only. Kandemwa further warned that opposition party supporters were going to be assaulted in the event that ZANU PF loses the elections.
Buhera ward 31
On the 24th of July 2018, Village head Luke Munhanda conducted a meeting in the village and announced that if people do not vote for ZANU PF, they were going to be assaulted. The Village head further revealed that people were supposed to volunteer to be assisted to vote on the day of the election.
Chivi North ward 10
On the 25th of July 2018, ZANU PF member Nyarai Zivanai threatened Village heads Muzondo and Chibhanguza with death if they fail to mobilize voters to vote for ZANU PF. Zivanai further revealed that he was given the directive by aspiring Councillor, Jephias Chimhaka.
Muzarabani ward 8
On the 25th of July 2018, Councillor Norman Chizeya conducted a meeting in Muringazuva village and highlighted that people who do not vote for ZANU PF will be assaulted. Councillor Chizeya further highlighted that soldiers were going to be deployed in the ward if ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections.
Muzarabani ward 22
ZANU PF District chairperson Kenneth Mapondera conducted a meeting at Village 1 Business centre on the 25th of July 2018 and announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash a terror campaign during the re run.
Bikita ward 15
ZANU PF youths Emmanuel Shumbanhete and Jefta Manyama announced during an inputs distribution meeting at Silveira Business centre that community members were supposed to volunteer to be assisted to vote on the day of the election.
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
