Human rights violations escalating

During the week, ending 2 December 2016, Heal Zimbabwe claim to have recorded a total of 27 cases of human rights violations.

The organisation said Masvingo Province and Mashonaland Central recorded the highest record of violations with 32% each while Mashonaland West and the Midlands Province recorded the least violations standing at 5%.

"By district, Bikita district recorded the highest number of violations with 22% of the total violations followed by Chimanimani district 15.5%. The levels of violations could have been high because of by-elections in the districts, Bikita is scheduled to hold a by-election in January 2017 for Bikita West while in Chimanimani District, a by-election was held on the 26th of November 2016 for Chimanimani West constituency," said the trust.

"Gokwe North, Hwedza, Maramba-Pfungwe, Mbire and Mhondoro-Ngezi recorded the least violations with 5%."

The week witnessed a continued trend of partisan food aid /agricultural inputs distribution recording 17 cases  and intimidation of opposition political party members recording 6 cases. Outside Bikita district, violations were recorded in  Gutu, Chimanimani, Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Gokwe, Mazowe, Mhondoro Ngezi, Wedza, Maramba Pfungwe and Mbire districts. Heal Zimbabwe recorded (2) cases of vote buying and (2) cases of forced financial contributions towards the ZANU PF December conference. Generally the socio-political environment in the country is peaceful albeit flashes of threats of violence and protests against cash shortages and the introduction of ‘Bond Notes.