ZPP calls for political tolerance amid shrinking democratic space in rural communities

By Bustop TV Reporter

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has called for political tolerance and observance of the
Constitution, which guarantees civil and political freedoms to all Zimbabweans amid the country’s
deteriorating political environment.

This follows a series of human rights violations in rural communities recorded by the human rights watchdog in April.

ZPP recorded incidents of intimidation, harassment, threats, disruption of events, discrimination, politicization of food aid and alleged assaults by members of the ruling ZANU PF party in areas such as Chiwundura, Murehwa, Makonde and Zaka.

ZPP reported that in Chiwundura Constituency, at Muchakata, Vhuka Uzizenzele and Maodza Business Centres, the revival of terror bases by Zanu PF is said to have commenced.

“In separate groups Zanu PF youths, acting on the command of their provincial leadership, allegedly patrol the three centers and the entire community checking if there are any individuals engaging in opposition politics.”

In another incident, ZPP also noted recorded cases of intimidation by a village head in Murehwa who threatened villagers with evacuation and deprivation of food aid until they openly denounced the MDC Alliance.

“On 16 April, a village head in Murehwa North convened a meeting in Ward 9 and reportedly said that MDC Alliance supporters had no place in his village and that they would not benefit from any government social welfare assistance until they openly denounced the MDC Alliance,” reported ZPP.

Elsewhere, in Zaka Central Ward 19, on 15 April, ZPP recorded that a Mr Rupindo, a Zanu PF
Vice Chairperson for the Ward and an employee at Chemusisi Hospital allegedly threatened to assault about 45 beneficiaries of the social welfare food aid.

He reportedly told beneficiaries that government aid was from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and meant for Zanu PF members only.

Zimbabwe’s political environment has been marred by a growing number of reports of voter intimidation and threats of violence over the past years and with the 2023 elections fast approaching, there have been a growing concern over the credibility of elections.