Human rights abuses are on the rise in Zimbabwe, where the ruling Zanu PF party is strongly involved in a wide range of abusive acts against the populace, including extrajudicial killings and intimidation. A worrying total of 145 occurrences were reported in April alone, according to a new report by the human rights monitor Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), signaling a major worsening of the nation’s human rights crisis.
The ZPP’s results show that those connected to Zanu PF were responsible for most of these atrocities, or about 69.41% of them. Traditional leaders were found to be in violation in 8.53% of the cases, while members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police accounted for 7.94% of the incidents. Others accused were defense forces and municipal authorities, accounting for 2.94% and 5.29% of the infractions, respectively. Notably, members affiliated with the opposition group, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were identified in 1.47% of incidents.
The infractions were prevalent geographically. With 29 instances recorded, Mashonaland West reported the greatest number—a notable rise from 17 cases the previous month. High numbers were also observed in other regions, including as Manicaland and Mashonaland East, with 27 and 20 cases, respectively. 14 occurrences were reported in Harare, the capital province.
Known for their red berets, troops of the Zimbabwe National Army carried out one of the most horrible incidents in Chegutu West when they attacked Springs of Grace Academy College. The troops caused chaos and terror by accusing the teachers of teaching in a way that was against government policy. This caused disruptions to the learning environment. Subsequently, Pfupajena Government School used similar strategies, which resulted in teachers running away and distressed kids.
At the Baguta Farm Compound in Chinhoyi, additional abuses included the murder of a man by a security guard who was trying to scatter a group of people who were there to grab leftover corn cobs. The man allegedly charged at the guards with a knife before the event happened. The right to life is protected under Section 48 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, which is clearly violated by these and other acts.
Furthermore, it was alleged that roughly ten Zimbabwe National Army men had physically attacked street moneychangers in Gweru’s central business district using sjamboks. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga allegedly threatened violence against moneychangers is what sparked this attack. The report also included examples of citizens being forced to contribute to the 18 April Independence Day celebrations. Zanu PF leaders and traditional authorities reportedly demanded money and food from individuals, aggravated fear and compliance.
Violent incidents against CCC activists were another way that political tensions showed themselves. For example, a group of eight Zanu PF youths brutally assaulted a CCC worker in Epworth South, claiming that the activist was backing opposition people and that the activist was using sanctions to worsen the national problem. Similar to this, five CCC youngsters in Kadoma Central were attacked by Zanu PF supporters close to the party’s offices, resulting in serious injuries. The Zimbabwe People’s Party (ZPP) has urged the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and other appropriate groups to look into these abuses in detail and to punish those who commit them.
