From Manicaland’s Mupambwi Village in Buhera West, village head Keresencia Danda denied
three MDC-T supporters access to fertilizer and maize seed on 18 October, claiming that victims
should get inputs from their own party. In Makoni West, headman Bvekerwa also denied suspected
MDC-T supporters access to maize seed and fertilizer from what was being distributed through the
Grain Marketing Board (GMB). The trend was in all districts like Mutasa, Mutare Chimanimani and
Chipinge.
The trend was the same in Mashonaland West where two MDC-T agents for Chegutu West were not
allowed to register for inputs by Zanu PF chairperson and information officer at Waze Township on
10 October. From Hurungwe North, John Uramba a security member of Zanu PF denied four people
who were accused of being MDC-T agents’ inputs at Karuru Township on 8 October.
Almost all districts in the Matabeleland North province were in dire need of food aid. Although there
were certain NGOs which were carrying out feeding programmes in the province this was not enough
as they normally targeted certain groups in communities such as people living with HIV and AIDS, the
elderly and children. The contribution that came from the government through the GMB was heavily,
politicized in favour of Zanu PF.
In Ward 29 Nkayi South constituency two MDC supporters were denied rice and wheat, which was
being distributed by GMB on 15 October. It was reported that the villagers had all contributed $1 for
the transportation of the food aid to the area. Upon arrival at the distribution centre the survivors had
been told to go away by some Zanu PF officials led by losing candidate for the House of Assembly in
the constituency Stars Mathe and Charter Mguni who had control over the process.
September 2013
The month of September 2013 witnessed a significant decline in the number of politically motivated
human rights violations as compared to the August figures. There were 378 incidents recorded down
from the 525 incidents witnessed during the month of August. During the month under review cases
of physical political violence remained generally low. This could be attributed to the fading election
fever, which had gripped the nation for a couple of months.
Despite a significant decline in incidents of political violence during the month of August, cases of
land/property invasions, displacements and malicious damage to property especially arson had been
on the increase in Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces. The major sources of conflict during
the period under review revolving around post-election issues, ranged from harassment, arson, land
invasions and displacements mainly perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters.
Inter and intra party issues also came to a head during the month especially within the MDC-T where
some councillors from the MDC-T reportedly “sold out” to Zanu PF by entering into a deal with Zanu
PF to vote its candidate as the deputy mayor much to the chagrin of MDC-T leadership. The mayoral
elections were allegedly sold in Redcliff, Mutare, Victoria Fall and Gweru towns.
Zanu PF continued to be the main perpetrator of human rights violations as its supporters did not
allow other parties political space. The chaotic land redistribution exercise was another major source
of conflict with people being forced off their plots for having voted for other political parties other
than Zanu PF. The evictions were mainly witnessed in Mhangura and Chegutu in Mashonaland West
and in Muzarabani, Shamva and Mazowe in Mashonaland Central.
Evictions in the newly resettled farms took precedence in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central
and Manicaland affecting also Zanu PF supporters. It was alleged in other circles that the government
was trying to create some form of order by evicting those without offer letters.
The month also witnessed a number of celebration parties in different parts of the country as Zanu
PF celebrated its victory. At some celebration parties some people mostly MDC-T supporters were
threatened with eviction. Home seekers were evicted from their homes on allegations of setting up
illegal settlements. People from major cities who had bought land from the war veterans or kraal
heads without the authority of the Ministry of Lands were under threat of losing their houses to
demolitions by the local authorities in Harare and Chitungwiza. Unaffected by the eviction threats,
16
Select target paragraph3
Add to table of contents