Zimbabwe – Ready for Elections? 41 trying to report crimes perpetrated against them by ZANU PF supporters. They have been re-victimised, through arrest and detention, and been unlawfully converted into perpetrators as police believe ZANU PF supporters’ allegations at the expense of MDC complaints. Selective targeting of CSOs and HRDs has been a matter of great concern in the preelection period. Human rights work remains perhaps one of the most risky professions in Zimbabwe. The general existence of NGOs was characterised by the following trends; continued persecution through prosecution of HRDs working collectively in an organised manner as CSOs, and strategic targeting of those organisations and individuals involved in mobilising, education and sensitisation, and documentation and monitoring of human rights violations in order to destabilize and disrupt ongoing activities. (This is also covered under the freedom of association section in this chapter). Criminalisation of the work of CSOs has continued. CSOs, with their watchdog role in a democracy of putting checks and balances on the other three arms of government, have been selectively targeted. At the moment activities of CSOs and HRDs are centered on elections, civic and voter education, information and observation. These activities of HRDs and CSOs continue to be undermined by the selective application of draconian pieces of legislation that remain unreformed and not realigned to the new Constitution. Application of these laws has inhibited HRDs from carrying out voter education, provision of critical public information, and civic education without exposing themselves to risk. Attempts to gag CSOs have resulted in some being accused of peddling falsehoods – especially those that are considered to be “western sponsored”, whilst local media has also been targeted and threatened with risks of prosecution.44 Since October 2012, ZLHR has documented an increase in attacks on CSOs, which is considered to be strategic, intentional, well-planned, well-resourced and implemented. CSOs have been raided. It has become evident that the police was using seemingly “legitimate processes” such as search warrants to conduct raids, arrest and prosecution to victimise CSOs and HRDs – an old tactic fuelled by partisan policing in Zimbabwe. Other CSO leaders have been charged with operating without registration (this will be discussed further under freedom of association). Of particular concern, the police – through its leadership – has openly attacked CSOs. On 21 February 2013, during a recruits pass out parade, the Commissioner-General of Police, Augustine Chihuri, fuelled attacks on CSOs by accusing NGOs of pushing for a western backed regime change agenda. On that same day, the ZRP Deputy Commissioner-General Innocent Matibiri, who is in charge of “Operations” also launched an offensive against NGOs and outlawed broadcasts from Studio 7, an exiled radio station operating lawfully during a meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs.45 44 T Maodza “Falsehood peddlers risk prosecution” The Herald (22 November 2012) p1. 45 “ZRP puts NGO's under daily surveillance, outlaws exiled radio station” HRDs Alert ZLHR (25 February 2013).