MID-WEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has recorded a total of 113 human rights violations across the country in November, exposing the continued erosion of civil, political, socio-economic and environmental rights affecting thousands of citizens.
According to the November Human Rights Report, Kudakwashe Matambo the Communications and Advocacy Lead said, “the violations affected 6,284 people, comprising 3,677 women and 2,607 men, including three women with disabilities, highlighting the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups.”
The report paints a troubling picture of politically motivated violence, coercion, discrimination in access to public resources, forced evictions, and environmental neglect across several provinces.
Mashonaland East recorded 27 violations, with incidents ranging from physical assaults to political coercion and discrimination.
In Mutoko, a man was attacked and injured by alleged ZANU PF supporters after being accused of promoting opposition views.
In Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, victims across multiple wards were assaulted using baton sticks and subjected to home-based intimidation, with women among the most affected.
The report further notes politically motivated denial of food aid and farming inputs.
In Murewa Ward 23, ten residents were excluded from getting food assistance for allegedly not supporting the ruling party, while in Mutoko Ward 26, residents were coerced into buying ZANU PF membership cards under threat of losing agricultural inputs.
Matabeleland North recorded three violations, mainly linked to economic coercion. In Umguza Ward 4, residents faced chaotic fertilizer distribution marked by shortages and a mandatory US$2 payment per household.
In Binga South, Chief Saba and village heads allegedly demanded US$3 annual taxes under threat of denying food aid, raising concerns about abuse of authority and violation of economic rights.
In the Midlands province, 12 violations were documented, largely involving discriminatory access to agricultural inputs and essential services.
In Gokwe North, the Pfumvudza and cotton input schemes reportedly benefited only selected village heads and politically connected farmers, while others were excluded based on political affiliation or unpaid levies.
The education sector was also affected. At Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe Central, approximately 130 pupils were sent home during examinations for non-payment of fees, undermining children’s right to education.
In Gokwe, youths were allegedly forced to publicly renounce opposition affiliation in exchange for promised financial support.
Manicaland province recorded 27 violations, including denial of aid and political coercion.
In Mutasa Ward 13, 16 residents were denied assistance for failing to be “paid-up” ruling party members.
In Chipinge East Ward 10, opposition supporters were excluded from receiving agricultural inputs, which were allegedly redirected to ruling party affiliates.
The report also cites forced political participation, with school heads in Mutare Ward 11 compelled to attend politically linked gatherings.
In Mutare Ward 4 and Makoni Ward 35, residents were forced to contribute maize for clinic construction under threat of punishment, reflecting coercion and abuse of authority.
Bulawayo province recorded two violations. In Ward 13, alleged ZANU PF youths extorted vendors and farmers, demanding between US$20 and US$40.
In New Luveve Ward 16, residents endured overflowing sewage for more than two weeks, posing serious health risks and violating the right to a clean and safe environment.
Mashonaland Central province recorded nine violations, including intimidation of opposition supporters and discriminatory access to farming inputs. In Mbire’s Mubvundika Village, an opposition supporter was allegedly threatened by war veterans demanding political alignment.
In Mazowe Central and Mt Darwin West, residents were denied agricultural inputs despite registration, while teachers in Zvimba West were excluded entirely.
Harare province recorded 10 violations, including assaults on opposition supporters and disruption of civic processes. In Chitungwiza Ward 4, mourners were attacked at a funeral, while in Epworth North Ward 6, a budget consultation meeting was violently disrupted.
The report also highlights cases where residents, mostly women, were forcibly transported to attend ruling party meetings.
Mashonaland West province recorded 11 violations, including forced evictions and environmental neglect. In Mt Hampden, over 7,000 families were evicted from Willowdale Compound and relocated to Nyabira, where basic services such as water and sanitation were unavailable. In Kadoma Central, sewage overflow at Lady Tait Primary School endangered young children’s health.
Masvingo province recorded 12 violations, including manipulation of agricultural input beneficiary lists and coercive practices. In Masvingo South, traditional leaders were accused of adding fictitious names and excluding legitimate beneficiaries.
In Mwenezi and Zaka South, residents were forced to pay fees or meet arbitrary requirements to access government farming programs.
National Progressive Democrats president Togara Fambi said, ” The latest human rights report exposes the continued suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans across all ten provinces due to systematic abuse, political discrimination, and exclusion from basic services.
“ZANU PF is a very cruel organization, and the coming of Mnangagwa has magnified the level of violence, under Mugabe, we usually experienced state-sponsored violence during election periods, but with Mnangagwa, its violence and repression 24/7.
“If he claims to be a good leader, as he always says, why does he survive on violence? I remind those ZANU PF hooligans who think they are a special type of citizens that the NPD will not tolerate that.
“We are all Zimbabweans, and our freedoms and rights must be accorded to us without negotiation. We are not going to fold our hands and allow this lawlessness to continue unchecked.
“As the NPD, we condemn these violations in the strongest terms, no citizen should be denied food aid, farming inputs, or access to clean water based on political affiliation.
“It is time to end fear, coercion, and corruption. Zimbabwe must be a nation where every citizen is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.”
The ZPP report concludes that human rights violations remain widespread and systematic, affecting freedom of expression, political participation, access to resources, personal security, and environmental safety.
Despite existing legal protections, the report notes that partisan interference, weak enforcement, and lack of accountability continue to expose citizens, particularly women, youth, and opposition supporters, to intimidation and deprivation.
The findings underscore the urgent need for transparent governance, impartial distribution of public resources, and strengthened protection mechanisms to ensure that all Zimbabweans can exercise their rights freely and without fear.
