THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 Specific Cases On 17 January 2017, Maddock Chivasa the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) candidate for the Bikita West by - election and his election agent Thomas Mudzamiri were assaulted by about 10 ZANU-PF youths at Nyika growth point in Bikita.The ZANU-PF youths were traveling in an unmarked vehicle and trailed the two them as they were doing their campaigns. As they were about to depart Nyika Growth point in the evening, the ZANU-PF youths ambushed them armed with guns and started assaulting them accusing them of being “sell-outs”. Mr. Chivasa was assaulted by a gun in the face and sustained a broken arm while Mr. Mudzamiri sustained broken ribs. The assault took place in full glare of people present at the growth point. 41 On 23 October 2017, in ward 4, Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central, John Karikoga, a ZANU-PF member 2017 told community members at Kapiriri School that BVR kits will record videos as people vote in the 2018 elections. He further stated that the information would be used to detect who would have voted for the opposition. 42 On 29 October 2017, in ward 12, Mbire, Mashonaland Central, village head Sandauka’s Secretary John Tembo from Jurujena village and acting on a directive from ZANU-PF District Chairperson Wellington Mukawa ordered all registered people to submit their serial numbers to him. Tembo also highlighted that those who refuse were going to have their names removed from the food aid beneficiaries list. 43 On 28 October, Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the Chiefs Council, called upon chiefs to campaign for President Robert Mugabe in the 2018 national elections. Chief Charumbira made these remarks at the official opening of the 2017 National Conference of Chiefs in Bulawayo Chief Charumbira also said that the chiefs must support President Mugabe as the ZANU-PF 2018 presidential candidate because, he recognizes and respects traditional leaders. He further indicated that Mugabe was the candidate for chiefs in 2014 as agreed during the congress at the time. 44 On 06 November 2017, in ward 3, Nyanga North, Manicaland, village heads Mukunza, Nyamuvhuruza and Kwawa forced villagers to surrender their registration slips. Those who failed to comply were threatened with unspecified action. 45 See the ZHRC, Report on the Bikita west by-election, 21 January 2017, http://www.zhrc.org.zw/download/bikita-west by-election-report-21-january-2017/ 42 Heal Zimbabwe Trust Biometric Voter Registration Process Update 7, 20-28 October 2017, http://www.thezimbabwean. co/2017/11/biometric http://www.thezimbabwean.co/2017/11/biometric-voter-registration-process-update-6/ -voter-registration-process-up date-6/ 43 Ibid Update 7, 29 October -06 November 2017, http://www.thezimbabwean.co/2017/11/biometric-voter-registra tion-process-update 7/ 44 Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights, Charumbira’s call for chiefs to back Mugabe in 2018 elections, a blatant violation of the constitution, https://www.zlhr.org.zw/?p=1027 45 The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political and Human Rights Violations report, November 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 41 32