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
Gokwe ward 12
On 24 July 2018, ZANU PF member, Rosemary Manyowa destroyed campaign posters for the MDC Alliance presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa at Nyamazenge business centre.
Gokwe ward 12
On 25 July 2018, ZANU PF member, Yassim Mawire destroyed MDC Alliance campaign posters at Chirape Business centre.
Mazowe ward 12
ZANU PF District Youth Chairperson, Munyaradzi Marozva and the party’s Youth Secretary, Lincoln Mujeri on 26 July 2018, conducted a meeting at Mukuyu ward centre and announced that soldiers were going to be deployed in the ward if people fail to vote for ZANU PF. Marozva further highlighted that ZANU PF was going to assault people if it fails to win the first round of elections.
Mudzi ward 1
On 26 July 2018, Anton Madzinga, a war veteran who was in the company of several ZANU PF youths threatened people with violence at Kotwa Business centre. Madzinga highlighted that violence will be unleashed to all community members if ZANU PF loses the upcoming elections.
Guruve ward 21
On 25 July 2018, ZANU PF Senate candidate for Guruve North, Eleven Kambizi conducted a meeting at Denis farm and announced that ZANU PF chairpersons were supposed to mark registers on the day of the election as people vote. Kambizi further highlighted that the registers will be used to ascertain the number of people who would have voted against ZANU PF.
Bikita ward 5
On 26 July 2018, ZANU PF youth chairperson Agnela Chamuka moved around the ward threatening community members with violence. Chamuka highlighted that MDC Alliance supporters were supposed to be killed for being sell outs and further announced that he has instructed Village head Tarambiwa to evict MDC Alliance supporters from the his village.
Mazowe ward 11
On 26 July 2018, ZANU PF ward chairperson Bensen Mawaya and Councillor Daniel Chinyemba conducted a meeting at the ward centre and announced that ZANU PF was going to unleash violence if it loses the 2018 elections. The two further revealed that soldiers were also going to be deployed in the ward if ZANU PF loses the elections.
Bikita ward 22
On 26 July 2018, ZANU PF members Phillip Ticharava and Pearson Gondo moved around the ward threatening community members with violence if they fail to vote for ZANU PF Presidential candidate,Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chinhoyi ward 13
On 26 July 2018, ZANU PF member Augustine Guma assaulted Norman Mangwiza at Laryton farm accusing him of being an opposition party supporter. The assault took place in the presence of ZANU PF District chairperson and Village head Fidelis Bazu. Manwiza is yet to report the case to the police.
Hurungwe ward 24
ZANU PF aspiring candidate for Hurungwe West, Mary Mliswa conducted a meeting at Chisipiti ward centre on 26 July 2018 and instructed ZANU PF ward chairperson Solomon Chiparo and the party’s youth secretary Tafadzwa Zimuto to compile a list of all opposition party supporters. Mliswa further instructed Village heads to ensure that people vote in organized groups on Election Day.
Mudzi ward 4
On 26 July 2018, Caleb Tsuro, a war veteran conducted a meeting at Chisvo Business centre and announced that on the day of the election, community members must volunteer to be assisted and vote for ZANU PF.
Mt Darwin ward 34
On 25 July 2018, Village head Duster Chipiso disrupted a soccer tournament in Kamutsenzere village that was organized by National Patriotic Front (NPF) candidate for Mt Darwin North; Laban Munemo.Village head threatened Laban Munemo with violence and ordered him to stop proceeding with the tournament. The Village head further threatened to report Munemo to soldiers.
Mutoko ward 11
On 26 July 2018, ZANU PF aspiring Councillor, Itai Rutsito conducted a meeting at Chikondoma hall and highlighted that opposition party supporters were not going to be given food aid. Rutsito further warned that opposition party supporters were going to be assaulted if ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections.
Mazowe ward 12
ZANU PF members who include Zoro Munongerwa on the 26th of July 2018 intimidated community members. Munongerwa moved around the ward ordering community members to declare their allegiance to ZANU PF. Munongerwa further highlighted that people who do not support ZANU PF will be heavily beaten in the upcoming elections.
Mbire ward 17
Councillor Temba Zuze on the 25th of July 2018 intimidated community members during a ZANU PF meeting conducted at Majongwe Primary School. Councillor Zuze also highlighted that community members will be heavily beaten and have their houses burnt if they vote for opposition political parties.
Buhera ward 17
Chief Cossmore Chimombe on the 26th of July 2018 intimidated community members during a ZANU PF rally conducted at Mambo Business Centre. Chief Chimombe who was drumming support for William Mutomba, who will contest for Buhera North, highlighted that community members will be heavily beaten by soldiers after the elections.
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
