Source: Zimbabwe Peace Project
Executive Summary
The simmering political and economic tensions in Zimbabwe triggered an unprecedented build up of protest movements which gathered momentum in June. These protests were mostly driven by non political party actors. This phenomenon was a reflection of the general frustrations across the broad spectrum of citizens. This report highlights the arrests of Occupy Africa Unity Square activists and NAVUZ activists for organizing protests.
Political intolerance continues to be pervasive across the country. On 18 June in Zengeza West Member of Parliament (MP), Simon Chidhakwa of the MDC-T had to run away after being assaulted at a resident’s feedback meeting. In a related incident, on 25 June, members of Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) were reportedly assaulted in Harare by suspected Zanu PF supporters accusing them of attending a ZimPF rally. In a case of extreme intolerance, in Pumula a group of about 15 war veterans met at fellow member Mkwananzi’s residence on 6 June where they denounced Zanu PF MP Godfrey Malaba for having attended an MDC-T member (MaMsipha’s) funeral. They accused him of having spoken well of the deceased opposition member and vowed to de-campaign him in future elections. Most cases that were reported in our June report were a violation of Section 67 (2) (a) of the Constitution which states that every person has the right to form, join and to participate in the activities of a political party of their choice. For instance on 4 June in Mvurwi town Zanu PF is reported to have given orders to various church leaders not to go to church on 5 June as there was going to be a rally at Mvurwi Stadium.
Section 58 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that, every person has the right to freedom of assembly and association and the right not to assemble or associate with others. A number of cases are cited in our June report where violations of this right took place. On 14 June 2016 in ward 9 of Chegutu West the Idawekwako Burial Society group members were allegedly summoned by the Zanu PF shadow councillor identified as Chirikure. Some members of the burial society were accused of campaigning for ZimPF and were asked to leave the burial society. In a different incident, a Youth Officer named Mashopani who is resident in ward 28 of Masvingo South was reported to be forcing villagers to attend Zanu PF ideological lessons every Wednesday afternoon. The affected villages are Mhokore, Bhudha and Todzanai.
Politicization of food aid programs is rampant across the country. In most of the reported cases the ruling Zanu PF used food aid to coerce people to join the party. In Tsholotsho North well known perpetrators Jones Mutasa and Clement Mkandla of Zanu PF barred members of the opposition access to food on political grounds. In an extreme case, on 16 June, an MDC-T party activist Nancy Rugwe* of Kufakwatenzi village Buhera South was allegedly assaulted by Joseph Chinotimba (MP) Buhera South at a food distribution point. It is reported that the villagers including Rugwe had been engaged in a food for work program at Kufakwatenzi Primary school.
Land invasions continued unabated in and around Harare. It is reported that on 5 June Zanu PF youths in Epworth led an invasion at Dunstan area along Airport road. On 16 June in Goromonzi South, a group of Zanu PF youths from Goromonzi North and South invaded Phase 20 ward 25 Caledonia stands also known as Eastview Park. Riot police had to be called to quell the situation and the youths are said to have eventually allocated themselves stands in the area.
Biting cash shortages were witnessed in Zimbabwe in the month of June. Long queues were a common sight at banks and the withdrawal limit was set at USD100 for individuals. The withdrawal limits exacerbated the suffering for most households where the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for an average of five persons per household stood at $481.00 in June 2016 (Zimstats). The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced a raft of policies like the restriction of telegraphic transfers and these policies had the net effect of deepening the suffering of the ordinary people who are out of formal employment. Another key intervention by Government announced in June was Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016. The instrument removes a number of finished goods from the Open General Import Licence (OGIL), requiring bulk importers to seek clearance to bring in such commodities. This policy was met with resistance since it impeded on the livelihoods of cross border traders and small scale retailers within the country. A phenomenon that became key in June was the commoditization of the US dollar which further worsened the chronic liquidity situation through externalization. As correctly noted in the Press Release by The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) on 10 June, the commoditization of the US dollar led to low productivity, uncompetitive exports, and rampant cheaper imports leading to deindustrialization and massive job losses. The queues that were common in 2008 have been seen at most banks initially as some people tried to remove their money from the banks having heard of the introduction of bond notes and subsequently informed by the shortage of cash.
Source: Zimbabwe Peace Project