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Summary on politically-motivated human rights and food-related violations - November 2011
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
December 23, 2011

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Summary

Following an upsurge of violence in Chitungwiza and other parts of the country, the leaders of the country's main political parties agreed to end political violence after meeting at an anti-violence indaba in Harare.

All the three political parties' in the inclusive government attended the meeting which was chaired by President Mugabe and intended to devise ways of curbing political violence with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai blaming it on the state security agents. However, the leaders agreed on the need to end political violence ahead of proposed elections. However, cases of displacement, assault, harassment and intimidation dominated the human rights violations during the month of November.

There was a marginal decrease in incidents of politically motivated human rights violations from the 602 recorded in October to 599 cases witnessed during the month under review. An analysis of the violations trends during the month of November 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 October was witnessed in 2008.

Politically motivated human rights violations took a dip in October 2009 when 890 cases were recorded and continued on a downward trend for October 2010 to 820 incidents. Cases of politically motivated violence remain high and the atmosphere has remained volatile in the Manicaland, and Mashonaland Central provinces.

Zanu PF supporters have been accused of leading political violence in the majority of incidents that were recorded during the month. The people's rights to freedom of association and freedom of movement were violated more after being forced to attend Zanu PF meetings throughout the country.

There was serious fighting in Chitungwiza after a group of Zanu PF supporters moved in to disrupt an MDC-T rally at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza. Several residents were injured in the melee that ensued as the police battled to calm the situation in the dormitory town. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangira who was billed to speak at the rally had to cancel his trip after the disruption.

War veterans' leaders Jabulani Sibanda has continued on his campaign of terror and was reported to have visited Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces during the month under review. Sibanda was reportedly harassing and intimidating people forcing them to attend Zanu PF meetings.

This report also documents cases of inter and intra-party violence within both Zanu PF and the MDC-T. The majority of the cases were reported in Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland East and West provinces.

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