against members of the opposition parties. Other reports were also recorded in Hurungwe, Mbire and Murehwa. 4. Geographical Distribution of Violations and Conflicts In this month of October, low profile violations were recorded, generally distributed evenly across 9 districts. Most conflicts were politically motivated characterised by internal factionalism and inter-party rivalry. Among the recorded political violations were 2 internal factional conflicts within the ruling party ZANU PF and 2 from the MDC-T. We also recorded 2 cases of economic violations and 1 situation where unfair distribution of food aid was recorded in Mutoko. There were no cases of land, sociocultural and environmental conflicts recorded this month. Political conflicts could be on the rise because of the factional politics affecting both the opposition and the ruling parties, the MDC-T and ZANU PF, respectively. In October, ZANU PF structures went in an election mood as the party began a restructuring process ahead of their non-elective annual conference in December. In addition, the ZANU PF Women’s League Chairperson, Dr Grace Mugabe hosted provincial political rallies in Manicaland and Mashonaland Central. Internal factional violence is likely to continue through to the ZANU PF December conference and beyond given the succession fights within the party. This also applies to the opposition MDC-T that continues to have internal leadership spats, particularly among the party’s President Morgan Tsvangirai, Vice President Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa, the party’s former National Organising Secretary. 8

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