Human Rights Violations in Zimbabwe hotspot areas- weekly alert.

Heal Zimbabwe has recorded a total of 31 violations of human right  in Zimbabwe's potspots areas as at February 17.

In its report it said all the violations fell in three categories, threats of violence (intimidation), forced contributions/attendance to political gatherings and partisan distribution of food aid.

"The highest violations involved intimidation characterised by threats of violence, withdrawal from food aid beneficiation recording 76% of the total violations followed by 18% of forced financial contributions towards the 21st Birthday celebrations of the Head of State and Government, President Mugabe. The district recording highest violations was Muzarabani and Mwenezi with 6 and 5 violation cases, respectively," heal Zimbabwe reported.

"Among the total violations recorded, it is notable that intimidation is emerging from political parties, ZANU PF in particular, that is reorganizing its party structures including selling cards. The party is already preparing campaigns for the 2018 elections yet intimidating people to buy membership cards by reminding them about the past electoral violence, threatening them with food aid withdrawal or job losses (for those mainly in government positions)."

Heal Zimbabwe said it is concerned that while it is constitutional for political parties to campaign and mobilize to boost their support base, doing so using threats of violence, withdrawal of food aid and job losses is unethically wrong and it amounts to undue political influence on the electorate.