36 Election dispute resolution mechanisms the security sector players – the police, army and Central Intelligence Organisation.10 The R-G’s office discussed in Chapter 2 also continued to perform duties as per the old constitutional dispensation rendering some citizens stateless in the process. 3.3 Social and economic rights Following the 2008 electoral impasse and the formation of the IG in 2009, the multicurrency regimen stabilised the economy with basic goods and services becoming available once again. The hyper-inflation was contained although the “dollar” continued to be hard earned for many without a source of income. To some extent services in some sectors such as health delivery improved although issues of access to medicines and treatment for vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV and AIDs continued, and the maternal mortality rate remained high.11 The IG made some attempts to progressively realise some social and economic rights, although bread and butter issues remained largely unresolved. The Constitution now recognises social and economic rights and obliges the state to progressively realise these rights within limits of available resources.12 3.3.1 The right to shelter13 There were continued sporadic evictions of former farm workers who continued to reside at the farms affected by the land reform programme. They were arraigned before the courts and charged with violating provisions of the Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Act. It appeared to be a deliberate effort by state actors to incapacitate vulnerable communities considerably before the occurrence of any future key political processes. A case in point was the 86 former farm workers from Mguti who were arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ courts and accused of occupying gazetted land in spite of the fact that the government had not provided alternative shelter to them in compliance with accepted human rights norms and standards. This adversely affected participation rights as the individuals affected were displaced and were discriminated against on the basis of continuing perceptions of their alignment to opposition political parties. 3.3.2 Right to water14 It has been established that at any given time around half of the people in the developing world suffer from disease caused by drinking contaminated water or feeding 10 See “ZDF won’t entertain security sector reform” The Herald (12 November 2011) p 2; M Kashumba “Security Sector reforms a foreign agenda, says Chihuri” The Herald (1 December 2011) p 2; T Farawo “I have no time for sellouts: Chiwengwa” The Sunday Mail (5 May 2013) 1; V Langa et al “Furore over security sector reforms” Newsday (6 April 2013) p 3; L Gumbo “Sekeramayi dismisses security sector reform” The Herald (22 April 2013). 11 Note 4 above. 12 See sections 73-77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20). 13 Now recognised in section 74 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20). 14 Section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20).

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