The May–June report of this Cluster cited a number of such incidents of intimidation, physical attacks,
and threats of violence around the constitution making exercise, which it derives from its own
grassroots work. For example, in Mutasa South, members of the Border Gezi were reportedly being
sent out by ZANU PF hardliners to disrupt the constitution awareness campaigns and as a result of
such resistance, on 16 April an awareness campaign was almost abandoned. Studio 7 and Newsday
(17/06) reported the alleged burning of homes belonging to MDC-T supporters by suspected ZANU-PF
activists to frighten them from participating in constitution outreach programmes in Muzarabani. In
some cases, it was alleged that ZANU PF had pre-selected people to represent everyone in presenting
views to COPAC, threatening violence to anyone apart from those selected who would dare to
elaborate their views. Other reports of threats and violence around the constitution were received
from Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Buhera, Gokwe, Mt. Darwin, Muzarabani (as has been reported),
Mhondoro, Makoni, Mutoko, Mudzi and Epworth. Similarly in a move seen as a move to stifle discussion
on sexual orientation, Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) officials Ellen Chademana
and Ignatius Mhambi, were arrested following a police raid at the GALZ office in Milton Park and
were held at Harare Central Police station on charges related to the contravention of the Censorship
and Entertainment Control Act (Chapter 10:04)
MDC supporters, real or perceived, continue to suffer politically motivated violence and castigation.
In this regard, some traditional leaders who continue to engage in partisan political activities were
cited as perpetrators of such violence. For example, a chief from Chimanimani was reported to have
summoned MDC supporters to his homestead and fined them US$10 each as punishment for belonging
to a political party of their choice. Similarly, a chief from Muzarabani North evicted a family from the
Independence celebrations at Sone Business Centre because they are members of the MDC-T. On
June 14 in Muzarabani District, an MDC supporter’s home was burnt and the victim chased away
from the area in Machaya village.
There has also been an increased number of church related violations in Mashonaland Central. This
has been reported in Mazowe, Mt Darwin and Muzarabani constituencies where villagers were being
forced to denounce their certain political parties in order to be allowed into the church assemblies.
Again in the same province, two MDC activists were excommunicated from the Johane Masowe
Apostolic Church on the basis that they openly supported the party of their choice. Similarly, Anglican
Church parishioners who are allegedly anti- Bishop Nolbert Kunonga continue to be denied use of
the congregations’ premises by anti–riot police officers, clearly in contravention of Article XIII that
requires state organs and state institutions to be apolitical. For example it was recorded in Chitungwiza,
that about fifteen anti-riot police officers allegedly denied parishioners access to use the Anglican
premises at St All Saints congregation in Unit K. In Manicaland, senior Zanu PF politicians hijacked a
Passover ceremony for the Johane Marange Apostolic sect and ordered the leaders to denounce
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as well as excommunicate all MDC-T supporters.
Some incidents of continued human rights violations of commercial farmers were reported as well.
The evictions of two commercial farmers, Trevor Gifford and Michel Fyd’herbe from their farms in
Chipinge and the intimidation of another, Matthew Taylor, in Nyamandlovu were reported in SW
Radio Africa & The Zimbabwean, 14 and 17 June.
It has been mentioned in this report that some peace building initiatives by civil society had proceeded
unhindered. However, such efforts were isolated, uncoordinated and therefore hardly effective. The
CIVIL SOCIETY MONITORING MECHANISM (CISOMM)
SIX MONTH SHADOW REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INCLUSIVE OF ZIMBABWE
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