THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 Harassment and intimidation accused of harassing and intimidating villagers.Villagers were being intimidated that the BVR system captures an individual’s face and this enables the system to link an individual to their vote. Zimbabweans have for a long time not been able to participate freely in political processes due to harassment and intimidation by mostly ZANU-PF politicians and youths who constantly remind villagers of the violent 2008 elections. Cases of harassment and intimidation peaked from September with the commencement of voter registration using the Biometric Voter Registration system.The ZPP documented a total of 1089 cases of harassment and intimidation. The main perpetrators were ZANU-PF supporters and traditional leaders ZANU-PF supporters and traditional leaders were Specific Cases On 16 July 2017, Kenneth Saruchera the ZANU-PF Manicaland provincial secretary for finance, together with a war veteran called Mutonhodza, visited St Noah primary school in ward 19 Nyanga South and allegedly ordered all teachers and non-teaching staff to attend a ZANU-PF rally which was to take place on 23 July 2017 at Sedze business centre. Kenneth Saruchera warned them that failure to attend is not an option as they will be dealt with the 2008 way (a reference to the widespread political violence in 2008). 19 On 9 August 2017, teachers at Ruwangwe Secondary school, in Nyanga North ward 4 were forced to make contributions for Heroes Day commemorations that were to be held on the 11th and 12th of August 2017. A letter was read out from Mr. Zimunya, Chairperson of the District Development Fund in Nyanga demanding all civil servants to contribute US$1 per head. It was also announced that failure to contribute would mean that the teachers were anti-government and would lose their jobs. 20 On 5 September 2017, ZANU- PF ward chairman Denshot Mazarura and Councilor Norman Chizeya for Muzarabani North ward 8 allegedly intimidated community members during a funeral in Gunduza village. It was reported that the two threatened to evict all opposition supporters from the area before the voter registration process commences. The two also forced everyone at the funeral to chant ZANU-PF slogans, thereby turning the funeral into a political rally as they took turns to forcibly address the mourners. 21 On 28 September 2017, Honorable Joseph Chinotimba disrupted the mobile registration of births and National Identification Cards at Mutiusinazita in Buhera by demanding to address those queuing for registration. In his address Honorable Chinotimba threatened the people with an unknown future if they do not vote for him for a second term. 22 This year, Zimbabwe holds general elections. In this report we cover some acts that infringe on the rights to assembly and participation. In this video, the Director of ZimRights talks about civil society role in activating participation and ensuring a credible election. The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political & Human Rights Violations Report, July 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 20 Ibid, August 2017 21 The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political & Human Rights Violations Report September 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 22 Ibid 19 23