AT least 184 human rights violations were recorded across Zimbabwe, affecting nearly 2 000 victims in October this year, a report from the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has said.
ZPP raised concern over a trend of increasing violence, intimidation and discrimination, particularly in the context of food aid distribution and political repression.
Among the reported incidents, threats of violence topped the list, with 74 cases recorded while other key violations included nine assaults, 13 instances of unfair food aid distribution and 12 cases of malicious damage to property.
Victims also faced restrictions on their rights of assembly and expression, with 17 and 22 violations documented, respectively.
“The violations included threats of violence (74), assault (9), unfair distribution of food aid (13) and malicious damage to property (12).
“There were violations related to restrictions of freedom, such as that of Assembly and Association (17) and of Expression (22) “while) 19 violations were also recorded where victims were denied access to social services.
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“Other notable violations were abduction (1), an unjustified arrest (1), torture (1), forced displacements (2) and 9 violations of inhuman treatment,” ZPP said.
Women, according to the report, constituted a significant portion of those affected, with 787 female victims, including three women with disabilities, while male victims totalled 1 204, two of whom were also persons with disabilities.
The report identified perpetrators affiliated to the ruling Zanu PF party responsible for nearly half (48,47%) of the documented violations, followed by the ZRP at 23,01%.
The report also highlighted the alarming politicisation of food aid distribution, where individuals were coerced into supporting the ruling party in order to access essential assistance.
“In Buhera South, for instance, a village head, Ernest Muzokomba, and a local councillor, Denmore Maweni, threatened a male victim for commenting on unfair food aid distribution on Change Radio, a news channel aligned to the Citizens Coalition for Change.
“Despite the victim's denial, the village head insisted on punishment, further suppressing freedom of expression. The victim was also threatened with exclusion from government sponsored aid programmes. This blatant intimidation suppresses freedom of expression and assembly, guaranteed by Zimbabwe's Constitution,” the report said.
It further highlighted the demolition of 30 houses in Ridgeview, Belvedere, Harare, expressing serious concerns regarding the right to adequate housing.
“The recent demolition of 30 houses in Ridgeview, Belvedere ward 5, Harare, has raised serious concerns, particularly regarding the right to adequate housing and protection from arbitrary eviction.
“The victims, comprising 30 households, were left homeless and exposed to the elements, sparking outrage over the City of Harare's actions,” it said.
ZPP called for immediate action from government and relevant institutions, adding that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission should investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violations and ensure public officials adhere to principles of administrative justice and human rights.
Zanu PF director of communication Farai Marapira was not available to comment on the report as he is reportedly out of the country. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi’s phone number was not reachable.