THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 Freedom of association assembly and was selectively applied in favour of ZANU-PF, which held public gatherings, and protest marches without Freedom of assembly and association was curtailed following the provisions of POSA while other parties during 2017 mainly using the Public Order and and organisations were denied authority and in some Security Act (POSA). ZRP were the main category instances arrested. of perpetrators. Restrictions on freedom of assembly and association targeted mainly journalists, political There were also reports of ZANU-PF supporters activists and human rights defenders (HRDs). As who assaulted opposition party supporters for noted in previous reports by the Forum, the police wearing their respective party regalia. Incidences conveniently misinterpreted the POSA provision of forced attendances to rallies and disruption of regarding gatherings making it difficult for individuals meetings were documented. and groups to assemble. 27 The provision on gatherings Specific Cases On 11 February 2017, three members of the Transform Zimbabwe namely, Nicholas Magaya, Kudak washe Chikwama and Farai Justice were assaulted by ZANU-PF youths in Chitungwiza while on a clean-up campaign at Makoni Shopping Centre. 28 On 17 April 2017, Emma Efelemu was attacked whilst on her way to Mufakose to attend a funeral of an MDC-T official. Emma was wearing the MDC-T regalia and had a misunderstanding with a conductor over bus fare change.The argument later turned into a brawl when the conductor insulted Emma for wearing an MDC-T t-shirt. The unidentified conductor then pulled out Emma’s dreadlocks and picked up a bottle from the grass, which he used to strike Emma on her nose, front teeth and knee. The matter was reported at Marimba Police Station. 29 On 9 August 2017, armed police officers disrupted an MDC-T Mashonaland Central Provincial meeting in Bindura. The MDC-T Provincial Youth Chairperson Tonderai Samhu reported that party supporters from all districts in the province were gathered to be addressed by the MDC-T party President Mr. Tsvangirai when the meeting was prematurely ended by police on grounds that the it had not been cleared regardless of it being an indoor meeting. 30 On 30 August 2017, residents in Mbare (Mupedzanhamo, Siyaso and Magaba areas) in Harare were forced to shut down business and attend a ZANU-PF First Family Solidarity March and Youth Interface Rally at the ZANU-PF Party Headquarters. Anyone who resisted was threatened with harassment and told never to conduct business in Mbare or Harare. 31 Refer to Part 1V of the Public Order and Security Act The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political and Human Rights Violations Report February 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 29 The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political and Human Rights Violations Report April 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 30 Ibid, August 2017 31 The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Monthly Political and Human Rights Violations Report, August 2017, available on http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/ 27 28 27