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
Mudzi ward 4
On 27 July 2018,ZANU PF aspiring Legislator, Magna Mudyiwa conducted a meeting at Shinga Business Centre and threatened community members with violence. Mudyiwa further warned that people who will vote for MDC Alliance Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa were going to be assaulted heavily by soldiers.
Muzarabani ward 24
ZANU PF member Ishmael Kagodo moved around the ward on 27 July 2018 and destroyed campaign posters for MDC Alliance Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa at Chibombo Business Centre.
Muzarabani ward 6
ZANU PF member, Amon Magwenzi conducted a meeting at Hwata dip tank on 27 July 2018 and highlighted that community members were going to be assaulted by soldiers if they fail to vote for ZANU PF.Magwenzi further warned that ZANU PF was going to repeat violence similar to 2008 if it loses the 2018 elections.
Mudzi ward 7
On 27 July 2018, ZANU PF ward Chairperson Robert Nyangumbe announced during a food distribution meeting at Kaitano Primary school that community members in Kativhu village were going to be assaulted by soldiers for secretly supporting opposition party, MDC-T.
Mvuma ward 14
Aspiring ZANU PF Council candidate, Tendai Mandiopera and ZANU PF member Catherine Manunure conducted a door to exercise on 27 July 2018 and threatened that ZANU PF was going to unleash violence if it loses the 2018 elections. The two further told people at Mushayabvunzi Business Centre that they were supposed to volunteer to be assisted to vote and that soldier were going to assault people in the event that there is a runoff.
Bikita ward 6
On the 26th of July 2018, Village head Isaiah Chimunhu threatened people who were going to the MDC alliance ward meeting at Mutikizizi Primary school with violence and highlighted that they were going to be evicted from the village.
Nyanga ward 8
Village head Misheck Dirorimwe conducted a meeting at his homestead and compiled a list of ZANU PF members and MDC-T supporters in two different books. The Village head announced that he had received the instruction from the ZANU PF District office in Nyanga and further highlighted that people were supposed to vote wisely if they wanted to avoid a repeat of the 2008 violence.
Murehwa ward 4
Beauty Mutyoza, a ZANU PF member on 27 July 2018 intimidated community members with violence at Chinyemba Business centre.Mutyoza announced that if people fail to vote for ZANU PF, they were going to be heavily assaulted by soldiers.
Bikita ward 14
On 26 July 2018, Village head Joseph Muduma threatened community members with violence during a funeral in his village. Village head Muduma announced that community members were going to be assaulted by soldiers if ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections.
Nyanga ward 3
ZANU PF aspiring Council candidate, Anthony Manda on 27 July 2018 intimidated community members with violence during a funeral in the ward. Councillor Manda told mourners that if they fail to attend ZANU PF meetings and vote “wisely” on Election Day, they were going to be assaulted by soldiers.
Muzarabani ward 6
On 27 July 2018, ZANU PF aspiring Council Candidate, Martha Machingura threatened community members with violence during a meeting at Hwata Primary school.Councillor Machingura warned that opposition party supporters were going to be denied food aid and assaulted by soldiers if ZANU PF loses the 2018 elections.
Chegutu ward 17
Aspiring ZANU PF Councillor Michael Marecha conducted a meeting at Dombwe Business centre and announced that his campaign team will write down names of people as they vote on Election Day. Marecha further warned that people who fail to vote for ZANU PF were going to be assaulted by soldiers.
Bikita ward 9
ZANU PF Aspiring Council candidate, Sabina Kujogonya on 27 July 2018, threatened community members with violence and further warned that opposition party supporters were going to be denied food aid.
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
