Human rights violations still prevalent in Zim
In April, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) documented 145 violations of human rights. The violations included harassment and intimidation, violations against equality and nondiscrimination, abduction, arbitrary eviction, extra-judicial killing, unlawful detention, theft and assault.
Mashonaland West recorded the largest number of violations of human rights violations standing at 29 violations, up from 17 in March.
ZPP also documented 27 violations in Manicaland province, 20 in Mashonaland East, 16 in Masvingo, 15 in Midlands, 14 in Harare province and 13 in Mashonaland Central. Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces each recorded four violations while Matabeleland North recorded three human rights violations.
69.41% of the perpetrators were affiliated with the ruling party, Zanu PF, while 8.53% were traditional leaders.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police accounted for 7.94% of the perpetrators while members of the defence forces and municipal officers accounted for 5.29% and 2.94% respectively.
Members affiliated with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) constituted 1.47% of the perpetrators while 4.41% were not affiliated with any group or institution.
Male victims constituted 52.11%, of which 0.17% were persons with disabilities. 47.88% of the victims were females. 0.11% of the women whose rights were violated were persons with disabilities.
Ordinary citizens constituted the majority of victims amounting to 93.3%, while informal traders were 3.56%.
Other victims were members of the opposition party, CCC, at 2.88%, artisanal miners 0.24% and Zanu PF 0.02%.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project monitors and documents human rights violations across all the provinces in Zimbabwe.
In pursuant of justice and peace, the Zimbabwe Peace Project urges the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Republic Police to investigate and cause for prosecution, all perpetrators including members of the security forces. ZPP believes that peace is possible when there is political tolerance and if the state is committed to ending the culture of impunity.
In three incidents, the members of the defence forces have been recorded harassing and assaulting civilians. In Chegutu West, Ward 3, 2 members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) wearing red berets, raided Springs of Grace Academy College on April 11and harassed teachers accusing them of conducting holiday lessons against government policy.
The soldiers jumped over the school gate and harrassed teachers during time for classes leaving both class practitioners and students terrified.
Later that day, the soldiers reportedly carried out a similar raid at Pfupajena Government School in ward 6 and teachers present ran for their lives leaving learners in classes.
On April 29, in the Gweru central business district, around 10 members of the ZNA raided and physically assaulted street money changers.
Eight males were assaulted with sjamboks. The victims were later released by the army officers and no arrests were made.
The assault, a violation of the right to personal security (Section 52), followed the Vice-President of Zimbabwe, Constantino Chiwenga’s remarks threatening violence on money changers.
He said: “We wouldn’t want you (money changers) to end up being crippled after being assaulted”, during his address to Zanu PF supporters in Harare East ahead of the April 27 by-elections.
This occurred at a time of the introduction of a new currency, the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the government’s efforts to curb speculation and illegal trading in foreign currency.
The Defence Forces, according to Section 211 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, must “respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons and be non-partisan”.
The degrading treatment of teachers and money changers by soldiers may induce fear and effects of psychological torture in the victims.
The violation of the victims’ right to personal security shows disregard for the constitutional mandate of the security forces to protect the people of Zimbabwe and uphold the constitution as stated in Section 212.
In the month of April, the Zimbabwe Peace Project recorded incidents where citizens were forced to contribute money, food and other resources towards the April 18 Independence Day celebrations held across the country.
In many provinces, mainly in Manicaland, the contributions were demanded to support national celebrations held at Murambinda, Buhera District.
Zanu PF leaders and traditional leaders were at the centre of enforcing the demands. Contributions were demanded in the form of money ranging from US$1 to US$5 per individual.
In Chipinge, teachers were also forced to contribute towards, and attend the celebrations in Murambinda.
A letter signed by C. Salani, Chipinge's district development coordinator, was sent to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education requesting “contributions in cash from every employee”.
Headmasters were instructed to collect names, ID numbers and company numbers of those donating to be recorded.
Many teachers complied for fear of victimisation.
The fundraising efforts also targeted vendors. In Mutare Central, a group of representatives for vendors, led by Mr Mabhobho were moving around forcing vendors to contribute towards the celebrations at Murambinda.
The collections were made from markets such as Boka flea market, Mwamuka produce market, and stalls around the bus terminus.
The goods and cash were reportedly handed over to the Mutare district development coordinator.
The demands were accompanied by intimidation and threats of either being removed from food aid and agricultural inputs beneficiaries list or the risk of losing other benefits such as vendor permits.
In Guruve North, Mashonaland Central province, Muchineri village head warned the villagers that those who did not pay money for independence would not benefit from any relief aid, including those sponsored by private development partners.
ZPP