MILLICENT HUNGWE
MASVINGO-January 2026 opened with a worrying human rights picture in Zimbabwe, as 110 violations were recorded involving 3 677 individuals according to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP).
The violations, ZPP said involved 3,677 victims in total including 1,721 women and 1,956 men, a reminder that the burden of rights abuses continues to cut across gender lines.
Even more concerning, 33 persons with disabilities were among those affected, showing how vulnerable groups remain exposed to abuse, discrimination, and exclusion.
According to ZPP Communications and Advocacy Lead Kudakwashe Matambo, “The violations recorded during the month reflected persistent restrictions on civic space, a growing pattern of abuse of power, and increasing threats to basic freedoms that citizens are entitled to enjoy.
“The January violations were not limited to one type of abuse, the report recorded cases involving threats of violence, assault, unfair distribution of government support, and restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, and expression.”
The Midweek Watch confirmed that, in some communities, people faced barriers to accessing essential social services, while other incidents included unjustified arrests, displacement, malicious damage to property, and prolonged detention.
Together, these violations painted a picture of citizens struggling to live freely, speak openly, and participate safely in community life, without fear of political retaliation or intimidation.
ZPP’s report also revealed troubling perpetrator trends, the report indicates that both political and state-linked actors played a major role in the violations.
Members and supporters of the ruling party accounted for 45.6% of perpetrators, highlighting the continued politicisation of civic and socio-economic spaces.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) were recorded as responsible for 13.1%, while other state security agents contributed 3.0% violations, raising concerns about the role of security institutions in undermining, rather than protecting, citizens’ rights.
Other institutions which also appeared in the findings were Government authorities with 5.1%, local authorities 11.4%, school authorities 8.9%, traditional leaders 10.1%, religious leaders 0.4% and unclear affiliation perpetrators 2.5%
The report confirmed that human rights violations were recorded in every province, proving the issue is not localised but nationwide.
Manicaland recorded the highest number with 31 violations, followed by Masvingo (19) and Harare (16).
Other provinces also recorded significant cases, Midlands had 13, Mashonaland West 10, Mashonaland East 6, Matabeleland North 5, Mashonaland Central 4, Matabeleland South 4, and Bulawayo 2.
This distribution shows that while some provinces experienced higher intensity, the risks remain present everywhere.
Among the key violations highlighted was the right to personal security, with incidents linked to politically motivated violence and a culture of impunity.
One case recorded in Zhombe Constituency, Ward 14, involved a male victim assaulted by a ZANU PF youth leader after the victim demanded transparency and accountability in the distribution of agricultural inputs at Mkonto village.
Although the case was reported to police and the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to community service, the report notes that political pressure from party affiliates allegedly interfered with enforcement, resulting in the perpetrator not serving the sentence.
The incident reflected a deep weakness in accountability and the rule of law.
In another case, a ZANU PF youth group disrupted a community meeting in Nyanga South, Ward 15, attacking a volunteer working with a non-governmental organisation that supported young girls.
The attack appeared aimed at controlling community resources and discrediting the volunteer’s political loyalty.
Shockingly, after the incident, the victim was arrested for public violence after attempting to defend himself and was fined USD50, while the alleged perpetrators faced no immediate consequences.
In Chitungwiza South, a victim was reportedly assaulted by ruling party members simply for wearing clothing associated with the opposition and the opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
The assault reflected the continued intolerance that threatens citizens’ freedom of expression and political participation.
Other incidents recorded showed a pattern of individuals invoking political affiliation to intimidate others.
In Chikanga-Dangamvura, a ruling party youth member, Douglas Kajayi, and associates assaulted a victim during a dispute at a public entertainment area while asserting political dominance.
Across these incidents, ZPP identified a consistent pattern, political influence, selective law enforcement, weak accountability, delayed justice, fear and intimidation in communities
The report warns that such conditions enable human rights violations to continue, restrict civic space, and perpetuate fear.
