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Summary on politically-motivated human rights and food-related violations - May 2011
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
June 24, 2011

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Summary

The political environment around the country has remained tense as the political bickering among the partners to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) took the centre stage. There were more harassment/ intimidation cases recorded during the month of May as one of the political parties has reportedly upped its campaigns in preparation for elections.

There was a slight increase in cases of politically motivated human rights violations to 994 as compared to the 977 witnessed during the month of April.

Over the past four years, the highest number of violations during the month of May were witnessed in 2008 in the lead up to the inconclusive Presidential Election Run-off when 6 288 cases were recorded. The violations eased significantly in 2009 with 1 983 cases being recorded following the consummation of the inclusive government in February that year while in 2010 there were 978 cases.

Cases of politically motivated violence remain high and the atmosphere has remained volatile in the Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Masvingo provinces.

Zanu PF supporters have been accused of leading political violence in the many incidents that were recorded during the month. Arson attacks were recorded to be continuing in Manicaland Province despite interventions by the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) in rural Chimanimani.

There were also reports of inter and intra party fighting from across the country within Zanu PF and the MDC-T. The party infighting within Zanu PF has been ongoing as new candidates are facing a stiff resistance from the party's heavy weights in the fight to represent the party during the next general elections.

The military involvement in mainstream politics has also been a major cause for concern during the month of May following remarks by top Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) commander, Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who openly declared that President Robert Mugabe must remain in office for life also suggesting that elections must be held this year to ensure "political stability" in the country.

Nyikayaramba's statements also come at a time when ZPP monitors report of heavy military presence in most communities. The serving and retired soldiers are reportedly spearheading Zanu PF campaigns ahead of the proposed elections.

A group of Zimbabwean civil society activists, including top lawyers and a journalist, was allegedly arrested and ejected from the just-ended SADC summit in Namibia after they were intercepted distributing "offensive" flyers near the summit venue. Among those picked up by police in Namibia were the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights' Irene Petras, Joy Mabenge of the Institute for Democratic Alternatives for Zimbabwe, and freelance journalist Jealousy Mawarire.

The three were questioned and released after an hour, while another nine civil society leaders were held under heavy police guard.

The civil society organisation (CSOs), including representatives from Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, travelled to Namibia to keep the pressure on SADC to lay out a clear plan for democratic change in Zimbabwe.

The report also looks at cases of the politicisation of food and other forms of aid in most of the country's 10 provinces by mainly Zanu PF supporters. Cases of politicisation of food aid have been on steady decline since the beginning of the year.

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