20 September Right to Education 22 September Right to Shelter Several schools are reportedly no longer welcoming Hwange Colliery employees to negotiate for late payment of fees. Some of the employees confirmed that some departments last received $200 in July as part payment of the salaries, however, they said the money was not enough to cover outstanding rentals, school fees and other basic expenses. Prostitution levels are said to have significantly increased with teachers and truck drivers being identified in cases of sexual abuse of minors. Freedom of Assembly It is alleged that police officers barred an inter-denominational crusade in Hwange citing lack of manpower in case the gathering turned violent. Matabeleland South The presence of riot police and security agents in Matobo hindered political parties from holding meetings. Locals still fear demonstrating even when they are disgruntled by distribution of food which is done along partisan lines. Date HR Violated Provincial highlights 12 September Freedom of Expression In Matobo North, the headmaster of Nduna Primary School, Mr D Mpofu, announced that soldiers from Zimbabwe National Army would come to build a classroom block for the Early Childhood Department. Although this was supposed to be a good and well-intended program, the villagers at that meeting protested saying they would not feel comfortable in the presence of the military. One of the reasons was that, previously soldiers spearheaded Operation Maguta where they politicized food distribution in favor of Zanu PF supporters. Villagers remained skeptical despite the headmaster’s assurance that the soldiers will not harm anyone. 23 September Freedom of Expression Matobo South Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa and 25 other villagers were arrested and detained for demonstrating against the acquisition of vast tracts of their land by Arda and Trek. The 26 were released on free bail the next day and remanded to 19 October for trial. The villagers were protesting against their land being taken away without consultation. They explained that the action negatively affected them as they were running short of grazing land. 22