create Political Party cells and declare the names of their children and
relatives they stayed with, who were of voting age.
3 Mandate of the ZHRC
3.2 The ZHRC’s jurisdiction in this matter is derived from Section 243 (1)
(d) of the Constitution. There is alleged violation of Children’s rights as
provided in section 81 (1) (f) and (h), freedom of assembly and
association section 58, right to equality and non-discrimination section
56 and the right to education section 75 of the Constitution.
4 Methodology
In carrying out the investigations, the ZHRC employed a number of
methods which included desk research, individual interviews with
witnesses, attendance at Presidential Youth Interface Rallies and the
Movement for Democratic Change, MDC-Alliance Launch rally in
Bulawayo in order to verify facts. The MDC Alliance Launch Rally was in
order for the ZHRC to have a comparative with other political parties to
understand whether it is the norm for political parties to violate and
exploit children and school property for political purposes.
Desktop Research
4.1.1. The ZHRC conducted legal research into the legal
framework
governing
human
rights
locally,
regionally and internationally. This was done in
order to identify and assess the human rights if any
that were violated by the alleged conduct of the
respondents.
4.2.
Interviews
4.2.1. On the 9th of August 2017, the ZHRC convened a
meeting with the four Teachers Unions mentioned
above. The Union representatives gave their
submissions and echoed the same sentiments of
abuse of children’s rights and teachers at political
party rallies. The submissions made by the
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