Zimbabwe's 2023 poll promises now pie in the sky

A new report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has highlighted a widening chasm between political promises and the lived realities of ordinary citizens, warning that public disillusionment is intensifying as service delivery continues to collapse across the country.

The report, Between Promise and Reality: A People's Audit of Election Promises in Zimbabwe, assesses whether commitments made under the People's Human Rights Manifesto (PHRM) - launched ahead of the August 2023 general elections - have been met. The manifesto focused on 10 core areas, including constitutional rights, healthcare, education, basic services, housing, livelihoods and anti-corruption measures.

According to ZimRights, the situation on the ground remains dire.

"Poor sanitation, overflowing sewerage, dilapidated roads and overcrowded classrooms continue to undermine the quality of life," the report states. It further notes that households are grappling with "insecure housing, limited access to land, high unemployment and rising living costs," while corruption remains rampant and civic freedoms continue to shrink.

The rights organisation warned that "corruption and weak accountability remain major barriers, leaving citizens wondering whether their voices are truly being heard."

The release of the report comes against the backdrop of Zanu-PF's controversial push for constitutional amendments to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure by two years - from 2028 to 2030. The ruling party adopted the proposal at its annual conference in October, with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi now spearheading efforts to draft the relevant amendments.

This pursuit of a term extension persists despite respondents in the ZimRights audit indicating that they are worse off than they were in 2023.

One of the most alarming findings relates to education. The report notes that 72% of respondents believe government promises to deliver affordable, quality education have not materialised.

"Many participants indicated that their children face significant barriers to obtaining a quality education, including overcrowded classrooms and a severe shortage of teaching materials," the report says.

ZimRights added that although the Constitution guarantees the right to education, the reality on the ground "starkly contrasts with these promises," with frustration growing over the government's failure to prioritise infrastructure and funding.

The report paints a picture of systemic socio-economic decline. Citizens cited rising costs of living, joblessness and worsening housing insecurity as burdens eroding their dignity. At the same time, freedoms of expression, assembly and association are said to be increasingly restricted.

"Freedoms are increasingly constrained, eroding trust in elected leaders and fostering feelings of disenfranchisement," the report reads. ZimRights further noted a deterioration in fundamental rights since the launch of the PHRM, including rights to health, livelihoods and civic participation.

ZimRights said many citizens felt that election promises had been forgotten soon after polling day, and that leaders had failed to uphold the standards they publicly committed to.

"The gap between leaders' commitments and the actual state of service delivery has only widened, as promises made and current realities are miles apart," the organisation stated. Citizens felt not just unheard, but "actively silenced," contributing to a pervasive sense of hopelessness.

The rights body urged councillors and Members of Parliament to move beyond rhetoric and "tokenism," and instead demonstrate genuine accountability through concrete, people-centred actions.

"This audit should serve as a wake-up call," ZimRights said. "Leaders must reconnect with the people's needs and act decisively to reverse the ongoing decline."

The report underscores growing public frustration with governance failures - and raises fresh questions about the credibility of election pledges as Zimbabwe continues to face worsening economic and social challenges.