Mugabe interface rallies escalating human rights violations

Zimbabwe Peace Project has said numerous human rights violations have been propelled by presidential youth interface rallies.

The organisation said students have been forced to attend rallies forgoing classes resulting in right to education being violated.

"At the Lupane rally that was held at Somhlolo Stadium about eight schools were forced to ensure attendance of students. The schools Mabhikwa, Jotsholo and Fatima secondary schools, Lupane, Mtshibini, Kusile, and Roman Catholic primary schools. Civil and political rights have also been violated, in particular the right to freedom of association and assembly when people are forced to attend the ZanuPF rallies," said ZPP.

"ZPP recorded 34 incidences of this nature. Some statements at the rallies have been noted to have the potential of inciting political violence. At the rally in Matabeleland North, President Robert Mugabe said, "….there are groups that move around beating people. No, that is not our way of doing things. If you see them, give them the punishment they deserve. Do not even wait for the police to come.'' Other statements have incited a fresh wave of farm invasions by ZanuPF youths as the President continues to encourage the youths to take back land. For instance on 2 June at the Marondera rally President Mugabe said, "We are going to take those farms and re-distribute to our youths, some of whom did not benefit from the land reform programme.''

ZPP said at another presidential youth interface rally that was held in Masvingo on 30 June ZanuPF secretary of youth affairs, Kudzanai Chipanga urged President Mugabe to make land available in the province for the youth.

"Village heads and other community leaders continue to contribute to the upward surge of human rights violations. This report has cases of people threatened with eviction for deviating from supporting ZanuPF. In Binga North, Sanyati, Chiwundura, Muzarabani South, Mazowe West and Mudzi North community leaders are on record threatening those in the opposition with eviction if they do not support or vote for ZanuPF," said ZPP.

"Food violations slightly increased with 25 recorded during the month of July from 18 recorded the previous month. The highest were recorded in Matabeleland North (7) and Mashonaland Central (6). ZanuPF officials usually take charge of food aid distribution and take advantage of power and side-line those with divergent views. Harare, Mashonaland East and Central recorded medium threat levels while the rest of the provinces remained low."

ZPP said Harare, Mashonaland East and Central owe their rankings to the violation of freedom to demonstrate and petition compounded by cases of intimidation and harassment as well as discrimination.

"In July there were socio economic rights violations where school administrators have continued to bar pupils from attending classes based on the parents' inability to pay school fees in full. Schools that have turned away learners include Kapotesa, Nharira, Forrester J P and St Nicholas primary schools. Schools continue to expel students despite that mid-year examinations are underway. Some school heads have been accused of even turning away exam classes like grade sevens," said ZPP.

"According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac) 2017 Rural Livelihoods assessment, 63% of learners in rural areas have been turned away for failure to pay school fees. With such huge figures Zimbabwe faces challenges of realising the Sustainable Development Goals and in the case of primary education the stance is ultra vires section 75 (1) (a) which provides for a basic state funded education."