1. Report Summary The year 2017 started on a high note with the Bikita by-election setting the tone for the annual developments. Heal Zimbabwe recorded a total of 111 human rights violations, many of them originating from Bikita. Bikita recorded a frequency of 44% of the total violations observed in 12 districts and 5 Provinces. Out of the 111 recorded cases, according to Provinces, highest violations were recorded in Masvingo province recording 85% followed by 6% in Mashonaland Central, 4% in Manicaland Province, 3% in Mashonaland East and least violations recorded in the Midlands Province at 2% record. The top violations recorded include intimidation recording a total of 56% and the least recording 1% in the form of disrupted political gatherings. The socio-political environment was generally peaceful. However, the economic situation in the country is largely affecting communities’ livelihoods performance. As the country readies for the elections in the coming year, the 2018 election hype is setting in. Fear of electoral violence is the greatest challenge that most communities are afraid of. Geographical Distribution of Violations in January 2017 2