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Summary on politically-motivated human rights and food-related violations - August 2011
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
September 27, 2011

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Summary

Despite a significant decline in incidents of politically motivated human rights violations during the month of August to 720 from the 910 witnessed in July, political tensions and intolerance have remained very high across the country. The talk of a possible election by early 2012 is likely to see a marked increase in the number of violations in the near future. An analysis of the violations trends during the month of August over the past four years reveals that the month has always had fewer incidents compared to the other months. The highest number of violations during the month of August was witnessed in 2008 when there were 964 cases a few months after the inconclusive June 27 Presidential Election Run-off. Politically motivated violations took a dip in August 2009 when 527 cases were recorded only to rise significantly in August 2010 to 848 incidents. 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.

The country's rapidly changing political landscape has remained very tense in the face of the backbiting revelations from whistle blower website, Wikileaks and the mysterious death of former army commander General Solomon Mujuru during the month under review. The Mujuru family requested for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the senior Zanu PF politburo member and the nation awaits the outcome with baited breath.

The death of Mujuru also reignited the Zanu PF succession debate in anticipation of possible elections in 2012 although it is also viewed as a source of more pronounced fissures since the late retired General was viewed as leader of a faction within the party.

Another worrying development that could trigger upheavals in the country is the move by government, under the guise of implementing indigenization and economic empowerment regulations, to seize foreign owned companies, particularly mines and banks operating in the country.

The country also came under the spotlight during the SADC Summit held in Luanda, Angola during the month under review. The summit came up with a raft of resolutions that were aimed at finding a lasting solution to the country's political crisis.

However, ZANU-PF challenged the Luanda SADC Summit resolutions on Zimbabwe - arguing that they were drawn up when President Robert Mugabe had left the summit.

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