THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT |ZIMBABWE I 2017 Business and Human Rights ignore the contribution of the business community. Thus in 2017, the Forum started monitoring this aspect of human rights. Various sections of this report have paid attention to the contribution of business to human rights. The media, as both a business and a civic actor has also played a role on human rights in 2017. The broad quest for accountability about human rights violations has made it necessary that human rights defenders develop an interest in the role of business in the protection and promotion of human rights. One of the foundational principles on the corporate responsibility to protect human rights states that business enterprises should respect human rights. This means that they should avoid infringing on the human rights of others and should address adverse human rights impacts with which they are involved. 67 While there exists no legal framework currently in Zimbabwe for adherence to principles on business and human rights, Section 44 of the Constitution creates a clear obligation for all actors to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the bill of rights. Over the years, it has become increasingly clear that the promotion of human rights cannot Reporting on Business and Human Rights Monitoring the role of business in human rights requires a vibrant and truly independent media. Over the years, many publications have emerged and provided coverage on issues on business and human rights. The leading publications that have cast light on the usually shady business deals have been the Zimbabwe Independent, the Financial Gazette, the Business Connect and the Source. Specific Cases Suspicious Corporate Donations – Corporate donations usually come with invisible strings. To see the strings, one needs to follow the money and monitor relationships. In the previous years, powerful political actors have been known to use the carrot and stick incentives to force businesses to contribute towards political objectives. Events such as ZANU-PF fundraising dinners, 21st February celebrations usually draw a lot of interests with corporates outdoing each other to pour gifts on the ruling elite. This usually happens during campaigns season before an election. In June 2017, the Zimbabwe Independent reported that Anjin Investments, a joint venture between the Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Co Ltd (Afec), and a military company, Matt Bronze Enterprises, which was formed by the Defence ministry and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), contributed US$650 000 towards the construction of the US$6,5 million ZANU-PF conference centre in the Midlands. The paper reports that Anjin was granted a mining licence by then Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa in his capacity then as the acting Mines minister at the time. On 8 September 2017, the Zimbabwe Independent reported that BancAbc was being used as a conduit for moving funds looted from Marange diamonds. The article documents how BanAbc was used by several political connected individuals in many shady transactions. The Zimbabwe Independent of the same article above reports that the same bank was also used by Sakunda, an energy fund to bankroll ZANU-PF’s election campaign. The Zimbabwe Mail of 21 October 2017 reported that CBZ Holding Group Chief Executive Officer Never Nyemudzo had been retired because he has assisted former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s diamond ring scandal. The same paper reported that the bank was being used to bankroll Grace Mugabe’s campaign to succeed her husband. News24 reported on 4 October 2017 that new evictions were looming in Tsvingwe area in Chiadzwa as Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) had deployed an exploratory team to hunt for mineral deposits. 67 See Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OHCHR, HR/PUB/11/04, 2011 United Nations 55