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COPAC outreach meetings held in Harare and Chitungwiza
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
November 01, 2010

The Constitutional Parliamentary Select committee (COPAC) outreach meetings held over the weekend in Harare and Chitungwiza from the 30th to the 31st of October 2010 ended on a peaceful note with few cases of violence reported. The meetings were reconvened nearly a month after violence and disturbances at most meetings resulted in the postponement of meetings in Harare and Chitungwiza.

Attendance at the meetings was relatively high although some of the high numbers can be attributed to bussing of participants by political parties. The police, who, during the September meetings remained passive, provided better security to the people although they were accused of selective application of the law. Observers noted that there was an average of 15 police officers per meeting with the number much higher at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare where the September disturbances resulted in the death of one participant, Crispen Mandizvidza. High cases of coaching were also reported as most participants were reading from prepared scripts.

Below is a consolidated report of proceedings at some meetings observed;

Hopley farm

At Hopley farm, the meeting started at around 10am with the police searching participants at entrance points. Attendance was between 200 and 250 people with the level of participation generally high.

St John's retreat

The meeting was attended by approximately 500 people and marred with cases of intimidation and violence. A participant at the meeting, Jonsaya Manyere (32), was beaten up, stoned on the genitals and stabbed at the back of his head by suspected ZANU PF supporters. He is recuperating at a local hospital. At the same venue, police arrested journalists, Andreason Manyere and Nkosana Dlamini and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) officials, Diana Nyikadzino, Eric Murayi and Phineas Nhatarikwa. The five were charged with criminal nuisance and fined USD20 each.

Glen-Norah B

In Glen-Norah B there were also no major incidences of violence except for the issue of bussing of outsiders. By and large there was a balanced scale of opinion on the major issues discussed.

Sunningdale 2 Hall

The meeting was attended by close to 150 people and was generally peaceful. There were no cases of violence recorded and participants instilled discipline amongst themselves by agreeing to eject those who wanted to fan violence.

Budiriro community hall 2

In Budiriro 1 about 150 people attended with the majority being youths between the ages of 20-35. The debates in the meetings were lively with no cases of violence and intimidation recorded. In another meeting held at the Budiriro shopping centre approximately 200 people attended with high levels of participation. However, at the end of the meeting, suspected Zanu PF supporters were seen embarking on trucks and receiving money.

Glenview

At the Glenview New hall there were approximately 250 people in attendance with the youths forming the majority. Three people were ejected from the meeting for chanting Zanu Pf slogans after contributions they agreed with were made. Meanwhile a meeting held at Glenview 3 Community hall went on peacefully with no reports of violence recorded.

Dzivarasekwa

There was an attendance of close to 300 people at the Dzivarasekwa community hall meeting which was characterized by vibrant discussions. Cases of alleged bussing were also reported at the meetings with an observer highlighting that after the meeting, a group of suspected ZANU PF supporters were ferried from the venue in a bus. The meeting at Dzivarasekwa 1 hall was characterized by intimidation of participants with suspected Zanu Pf supporters threatening participants with unspecified action and booing them down.

Kambuzuma High 1

Participants were searched at points of entry. Calls were made to make President Mugabe life President and there was also a robust debate with Zanu Pf youths arguing that the Ministry of Defence should look into the needs of War Veterans including free education, healthcare and land for their children.

Rugare Primary School

The meeting started on a positive note but however, the situation turned sour as other participants observed that suspected Zanu Pf supporters were referring to prepared answer scripts. This did not go down well with other participants who argued that this was against the COPAC code of conduct but however, the COPAC team took no action and continued with the meeting.

Kuwadzana

In Kuwadzana, at Corwborough crèche, there was high participation. Turnout was high with an attendance of about 300 people, 90% of which were women and senior citizens.

Hatfield

In Hatfield suspected Zanu Pf supporters were in possession of scripts where they read from. Racial statements were also uttered during the meeting with some participants saying that the country should not appoint 'white' Ministers. The police however, advised participants to desist from making discriminatory statements.

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