PART TWO A. The GPA and the human rights situation, October 2011 The GPA, while not unproblematic, has served to stabilize Zimbabwe in significant ways, including on the humanitarian front.41 Access to health and education have improved dramatically in rural areas since we last researched these aspects in 2009. In our survey in September 2011, all families reported satisfactory access to primary health care, including child and maternal services. This is a direct consequence of a more stable political environment, which has allowed medical staffing and drug supplies to improve, although both still have critical shortfalls in specialist areas. Every primary school in the country now has a full set of text books for every child as a result of international support, and books for high school children will soon be available in all schools. Many children continue to be excluded from schooling on the basis of failure to pay levies imposed on pupils on a school‐by‐school basis: although such exclusion is against Ministry policy at primary schools in particular, it nonetheless remains a reality for many children.42 Political violence Political violence is reduced from previous years, but it remains a serious and ongoing problem in Harare, particularly in Mbare suburb where the Chipangano gangs, allied to ZANU PF, continue to terrorise citizens on a daily basis. Out of 475 cases of confirmed political violence countrywide this year, documented between January and the first week of October 2011, over 332 or more than 75% occurred in the greater Harare area.43 Other trouble spots include Chimanimani, Mudzi, Mutare, Murehwa, and Nyanga, all of which have reported between 7 and 12 victims of political violence so far this year. In Bulawayo, Women of Zimbabwe Arise have again been targeted and beaten, as have small numbers of political activists, meaning 24 cases of political violence in Bulawayo this year. It is pleasing to report that there have been no reported instances of political violence at all in Matabeleland South Province during 2011, and our researchers were able to undertake their activities without official – or unofficial – interference. 41 It is not the intention of this report to unpack the political nuances of the GPA, but rather to look at the humanitarian context. SPT will release a political update before the end of 2011. 42 Levies are meant to supplement teachers’ low salaries and running expenses for schools, but many very poor families simply cannot afford them. 43 “Harare” includes Chitungwiza, Epworth and other suburbs in the greater area. This figure of 475 cases is of those who have sought access to medical treatment through the NGO sector. 21