With a few days to go before the by elections, Heal Zimbabwe has noted an increase in cases of human rights violations. The Traditional leadership institution continues to be at the centre of abuse by ruling party elites ahead of the by elections. In Chivi South for example several Village heads have been directed to join ZANU PF campaign team led by ward 24 Councillor, Christopher Muzvidziwa.Following this development, Village heads are convening regular meeting where community members are being threatened against voting for opposition party, Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC).This also comes after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) conducted a meeting at Ngundu Secondary School where it implored political parties to stop abusing Village heads during their campaigns since they are mandated by the constitution to be apolitical. A similar incident was recorded in Binga North where the newly appointed District Development Coordinator, Leander Kapone directed all village heads during a meeting at Siyabuza Business centre to campaign for the ZANU PF candidate.
Similar threats to Village heads were also issued by the ZANU PF Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu on 10 March 2022 AT Siyabuzuba Business centre. In other areas, Heal Zimbabwe has also observed that Village heads are being forced to convene meetings to mobilize supporters for ZANU PF candidates. This practice however, violates Section 281 of the constitution that highlights that Traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or further the interests of any political party.
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Source: Heal Zimbabwe
