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Written by: Marshall Bwanya with additional commentary by ZHRO

Published: 28 November 2023

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Selective and 'passive' {and potentially partisan} reporting by ZHRC makes difficult reading of their Election Report for 2023.

"Some political parties complained of selective application of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) by the Police"

HARARE – A {tainted} report on the August 2023 elections by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) {view it here} has highlighted the menace caused on the controversial poll by notorious Zanu PF affiliated group, Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) as well as alleged bias towards the ruling party by the police and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

What is of even more of concern is the 'undemocratic' imposition of laws, and Judicial Judgments, by the regime {Zanu PF} in furtherance of their ambition for a one-party State, a pure Dictatorship!

Whilst Reporting on Irregularities

In its post-election report, ZHRC also highlighted complaints which were directed at traditional leaders for intimidating voters on behalf of Zanu PF.

• “In some communities, there were allegations that some people were being forced by their community leaders and FAZ members to attend certain political rallies,” said the commission.
• “These complaints were received from both rural and urban communities of the following areas: Bikita, Zaka, Chipinge, Buhera, Mangwe, Hopley, Chitungwiza, Mutoko, Hurungwe, Rushinga, Vungu, Umguza, Gokwe, Binga- amongst other communities.
• “Some political parties complained of selective application of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) by the Police.
• “This selective application of MOPA resulted in these parties resorting to night and door to door campaigns but still people feared associating with them.
• "The environment preceding the 2023 Harmonised elections was generally peaceful and calm. Despite the foregoing, ZHRC continued to receive cases of violation of civil and political rights, including, intimidation, coercion and threats among others. Such incidents allegedly instilled fear in some of the electorate thereby infringing on the political rights guaranteed in the Constitution."
• “CCC complained that in Bindura, they were denied clearance to conduct campaign rallies, although the party insisted that their notifications conformed to the MOPA guidelines.
• “Stakeholders reported cases of intimidation, violence, and forced gatherings by some parties, often facilitated by FAZ and ZHT in areas like Chipinge, Harare South, Bikita West, and Chiredzi West.
• “Similar sentiments were echoed by some business communities who alleged that in some occasions, they were forced to close their businesses or donate goods and services at political gatherings, a violation of Section 58 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”

The August 23-24 plebiscite was discredited by the SADC, EU and AU election observer missions, which stated in their reports poll that saw incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa keep his job fell short of meeting regional and international election guidelines governing the holding of credible polls.

ZHRC Failed to mention these into their "Very Brief Conclusions"

The commission noted cyber-based advocacy group, Team Pachedu “had significant influence in the electoral processes.” - But the ZHRC failed to mention that these were POSITIVE influences!

Despite acknowledging massive irregularities, the government funded commission concluded the poll, described as a national disgrace by the opposition, met the country’s constitutional provisions. - This in itself is patently untrue and a statement made with partisan "influence" by their sponsors. The Constitution WAS NOT upheld!

In addition, partisan claims of violence by CCC Opposition was included without question as to Authenticity.

ZHRC Full Conclusion at their Item No.6 is quoted IN FULL here: Make of this what you will!!

""The 2023 Harmonised elections were conducted in line with the law starting with the Proclamation, Nomination Court, Polling and Announcement of results. ZHRC commends ZEC for conducting voter education exercise across the country which made the electorate appreciate the voting process. The ZHRC notes that despite the logistical challenges that included delay in the delivery of ballot papers, voters roll and other election material, voting went on for a prescribed 12 hour period allowing people to exercise their right to vote.""

That's all there is! Hard to imagine that this is all - Question from ZHRO: "What were they {ZHRC} told to remove from these conclusions and by whom?"

Read more: Police and ZEC Bias in Zimbabwe - ZHRC

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Written by: Chido Shamu

Published: 24 November 2023

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In the heart of Zimbabwe, within the formidable walls of Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, lies a tale of unwavering resilience and indomitable spirit. Job Sikhala, a former Member of Parliament for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and a renowned activist, has become the embodiment of resistance and hope in the face of extreme adversity. Arrested in June 2022, Sikhala’s 18-month incarceration has unveiled a harrowing yet inspiring journey, one that he recently shared in an open letter, providing a glimpse into his life in what he describes as a “dark solitary dungeon.”

Sikhala’s cell, a place where the sun rarely penetrates, is a constant battle against suffocating darkness, intense heat, and relentless mosquito attacks. Yet, in this oppressive environment, Sikhala’s resolve remains unshaken. This unbreakable spirit is a product of a life marred by hardship but also a testament to his upbringing and unyielding commitment to fighting against oppression.

Reflecting on his past, Sikhala recounts the days of poverty and hunger that shaped his early life. His childhood was a daily struggle for survival, marked by laborious work in fields and perilous journeys to school. These experiences, harsh as they were, forged in him a resilience that now sustains him through the mental and physical challenges of his imprisonment. Sikhala’s current ordeal in prison is not just a test of his endurance but also a continuation of a lifelong battle against adversity.

Sikhala’s story transcends the personal; it is a narrative that resonates with the broader issues of political repression and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. His journey from a challenging childhood to his current status as a political prisoner highlights his steadfast dedication to social justice and the plight of the underprivileged. Sikhala’s experiences in Chikurubi are not just about surviving the unbearable conditions of his confinement; they are about his unwavering commitment to the ideals he has long championed.

His 18 months behind bars have been a testament to his mental fortitude. Despite the severe conditions, Sikhala has not wavered in his determination to overcome the strategies employed by his persecutors to break his spirit.

His resilience in the face of such adversity is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and thrive even under the most challenging circumstances.

Sikhala’s narrative is a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles for democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. His endurance, forged in the fires of his childhood hardships, now shines as a beacon of hope and resistance against the backdrop of political oppression. As he continues to face each day in Chikurubi, his story is not just about survival; it is a powerful statement about the unyielding human spirit and the relentless pursuit of justice.

In conclusion, Job Sikhala’s experience in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison is more than a tale of survival; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. His life story, marked by hardship and an unbreakable will, serves as an inspiration and a stark reminder of the struggles faced by those fighting for justice and democracy in Zimbabwe. As Sikhala continues his journey in the confines of his cell, his spirit remains unbroken, echoing the resilience and hope of countless others who stand against oppression.

Source: Chido Shamu

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 11 November 2023

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A personal statement by the Honourable Tendai Biti

Zimbabwe at a crossroads

Zimbabwe is at a crossroads. The weight of a stolen election, unprecedented corruption and the looting of public assets sits heavy on the shoulders of Zimbabweans who want and deserve better.

The environment in the world right now is toxic. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have pushed Zimbabwe to the bottom of the World’s attention calendar. This has allowed the vampire state here to carry out brazen election fraud. Not satisfied, the regime is now engaged in a malicious push to weaken our struggle, the progressive movement, through the illegal recall of elected public representatives.

It is therefore shocking to hear, and read, a daily stream of abusive, malicious and defamatory claims that Professor Welshman Ncube and I, are colluding with the regime and its proxies to append a struggle that have occupied and consumed all our adult lives. I do not speak for Prof Ncube, an honest and decent comrade who buried his dear mother on Friday, but as someone who has been in this struggle for as long as I have, one who has endured Zanu PF’s jails and physical attacks by the same, it is heartbreaking, if not tragic, that many Cdes that have been with us on this journey are now given false labels and badges, Zanu PF wish they had coined first.

I don’t believe in recalls. I have never been part of recalls. I will never be part of recalls. In my life, I have been recalled twice in 2015 and in 2021 through the pernicious use of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I know the pain of a recall. My family knows the pain of a recall. The people of Harare East know the pain a recall. With other MPs, such as Temba Mliswa, we unsuccessfully fought for the removal and repeal of section 129(1)(k).

Like most Zimbabweans, I only get to read about the patently illegal recalls by Mr. Tshabangu in the newspapers. Given what I and my family have given to this struggle, it saddens me that I have to state publicly that I will never be part of a project to weaken the democratic struggle in Zimbabwe. I have been imprisoned and tortured for the change we all seek, and I have stood firm. I have never worked for Zanu PF, and I will die before I lend my hand to the illegitimate Zanu PF regime.

I had hoped to be a Member of Parliament. I have my reservations about the process that prevented this happening. I have my challenges and reservations about our identity, structural, strategic and procedural polity. I am a democrat who believes in constitutionalism, the rule of law, transparency, openness and collective leadership. I can never compromise on these core values. However, no dispute nor differences is ever sufficient to place one at the service of Zanu PF.

I have a daily job at my law practice and that’s where I have retreated to fight for Zimbabweans in that sphere of my influence. Additionally, I have progressive international engagements that require my full attention.

Fellow Zimbabweans, all this chatter and actions by the illegitimate regime and its proxies are an engineered distraction from the main prize: to free ourselves from this rapacious dictatorship. It has been a long and tortuous road; and victory is closer than the distance back to where we started.

Tendai Biti
11 November 2023

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 10 October 2023

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Its that time of year again, as the weather gets warmer, and Zimbabwe's failed sewage systems and water supplies are yet again, non-functioning and 'tainted'

- the only beneficiaries are the damn MOSQUITOES!

Irrespective of the excuses from Zanu PF {not enough vaccine etc} however, to be fair, it has been reported that they feel its due to the water supply problems and broken sewage pipes. But these are matters that have been under the purview of the said "government" for the last 43 YEARS. Notwithstanding the stolen election form 23-24th August 2023, nothing will be done, until the greedy, callous, sadistic, heartless "elite" who claim to be the "government" have FINISHED LOOTING!

We have been here before! But with all things that Zanu PF have a hand-in, there is an obvoius "Political Element" - Thus Lockdowns and Limits on Meetings! Just when the illegal regime has rigged the latest elections {see our reporting here https://zexit.org/zexit/petition-delivery-15th-sept-2023; and https://zexit.org/zexit/zimbabwe-fails-the-electorate

Please read the article {at the end of this report} which appeared in the UK Telegraph on the 9th October 2023 and well written by Verity Bowman

As a reported, Verity has covered most "sides" to this tragic and avoidable story. There is even a preposterous claim by the WHO that this is somehow due to "Climate Change" - BUT of course it's the Mosquitoes - admittedly the warmer the better for them, except if we have another ice-age {climate change too}.

But as we as ZHRO have tried to cover, its down to SANITATION, {to be fair the government has cited that too - its just their "solutions that are wrong} and we proposed the link and the solution in Novermber 2018 to the DIFD {now part of the FCDO}. Our Proposal paper is available to view and download here. It is still current and the well researched linkage between sanitation and Cholera/Typhoid is as ever relevant - see for yourself by clicking HERE.

Read more: Cholera and Typhoid