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Political environment in Zimbabwe update - Week ending 25 January
2013
Heal Zimbabwe
Trust
January 24, 2013
| Province
and District |
The
General Environment |
General
Political Atmosphere |
Midlands
Gokwe
|
Tense |
There
are reported cases of politicisation of teaching posts at
the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture offices in Gokwe
Nembudziya. Reports are that all the aspiring temporary teachers
who went for interviews on the 3rd of January 2013 were shocked
when some of the interview questions required them to know
the full names of top ZANU PF leadership in Gokwe. All those
who failed to accurately name the leadership even if they
had the required qualifications failed to secure the job.
The Secretary General for Progressive
Teachers Union, Mr Raymond Majongwe condemned the exercise
and stated that it is not only in Gokwe where this unprofessional
exercise is taking place but that his organisation has received
similar reports in many teachers colleges countrywide. He
bemoaned that such barbaric behaviour compromises the quality
of education in Zimbabwe. Mr Majongwe highlighted further
that the calibre of those employed using this method are politically
compromised, as they are positioned to undertake and pursue
ZANU PF political interests instead of carrying out their
duties in an apolitical, transparent and professional manner.
In another
case, there are reports that on the 17th of January 2013,
Mr John Mudita from ward 13 in Nembudziya was assaulted by
suspected ZANU PF supporters led by the ward 13 headman, Mr
Magadzire. The assault came after Mr Mudita and few others
in the area received 50kg bags of maize from a well wisher
which the perpetrators failed to receive. This led to accusations
that Mr Mudita had received the donations because he was an
MDC supporter, accusations which the victim denied. The perpetrators
suggested to the victim that they all share the maize, a suggestion
which was turned down by the latter leading to the assault.
He was assaulted all over the body with baton sticks and open
fists. Mr Mudita sustained open cuts on his face and also
suffered a broken arm. The case was reported to the local
police but no arrests have been made yet. The victim is currently
receiving treatment at a hospital in Kadoma.
|
Mashonaland
Central
Chaona
|
Tense |
There are
cases of assault, intimidation and harassment that have been
reported in Chaona. It is reported that suspected ZANU PF youths
are moving around terrorising villagers in the community pouncing
on any suspected anti-ZANU PF supporter. They are mainly targeting
those wearing civil society t-shirts or any t-shirt from any
other party which is not ZANU PF. On 19 January, an unidentified
man who disembarked a bus coming from Harare was severely assaulted
for wearing a ZimRights
t-shirt inscribed with the message "Ngozi Haiteveri Akutuma,
Inotevera Iwe" loosely translated to avenging spirits haunt
the killer not the sender. |
Mashonaland
Central
Chiweshe
|
Tense |
In Chiweshe,
there are reports that Chief Negomo is harassing and intimidating
villagers at his traditional Court located at Gweshe Business
Centre. It is alleged that the traditional Chief is attending
his court sessions clad in ZANU PF attire. This is in contravention
of the Traditional Leaders Act which discourages traditional
leaders from engaging in any partisan activities. Reports
are that during the court sessions, Chief Negomo opens the
first session with a ZANU PF slogan and everyone present from
any political party should respond accurately. This has resulted
in villagers living in fear of violence especially as the
country approach national elections.
|
Mashonaland
East
Mudzi
|
Tense |
There
are allegations in Mudzi that on the 12th of January, some members
of the army went around harassing villagers in Nyamapanda village,
carrying out an unsanctioned census. It is alleged that the
soldiers claimed that the census was meant to give them an up
to date data base of ZANU PF supporters. The exercise was designed
to isolate those supporting other political parties. The exercise
resulted in everyone openly declaring their allegiance to ZANU
PF party. The harassment and intimidation are unacceptable especially
as the referendum and the national elections are fast approaching.
In another case in Kotwa, the organising secretary
for MDC T in ward 10, Mr Samuel Helegwa had his flea market
stand located at Kotwa Growth Point forcefully taken by ZANU
PF supporters for allegedly attending an MDC meeting on the
18th of January. Mr Helegwa tried to repossess his flea market
stand by reporting the case to the police but up to now the
police have not intervened to resolve the issue.
|
Masvingo
Zaka West
|
Moderate |
There
are reports of assault and intimidation in Zaka West. It is
reported that two MDC supporters, Judah Rimai and Simbarashe
Rimai who are brothers were assaulted by ZANU PF supporters
on the 5th of January. The assault came after the two were accused
of wearing MDC T-shirts at Jerera Growth Point on the 4th of
January. The victims sustained minor injuries as a result of
the attack. The case was reported to JOMIC which responded by
sending a delegation on the 15th of the same month to try and
resolve the conflict. The JOMIC team is yet to announce the
results of their findings after they met both the victims and
the perpetrators. |
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