It may have sounded like a joke but the military dispensation is taking this very seriously. From the Patriotic Bill to Amendments to the Criminal Law Code, Zimbabwe is taking steps to punish its citizens who speak about its human rights record to foreign governments and the UN mechanisms, or arrange protests that coincide with major international events. This is according to the Cabinet Briefing of 27 October 2020.  Dr. Musa Kika of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says these proposed laws are nothing but unpatriotic. ZimRights has condemned the proposed laws as an attack on fundamental freedoms. ZimRights National Director Dzikamai Bere says citizens who objectively and constructively criticise their government are good and patriotic citizens. They must be honoured.

Minister of Health and Child Care on 2 October 2020 through Statutory Instrument (S.I) 225A of 2020 suspended by-elections citing the Covid -19 Pandemic. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as the Health Minister said that by elections, which were slated for December 5, 2020, would be suspended in terms of section 68 of the Public Health Act (Chapter 15:17). ZimRights saw this as an attack on democracy after the MDC T, currently under the leadership of Ms. Thokozani Khupe recalled representatives chosen under the MDC Alliance banner. We asked ZimRights members to respond to this development. 87% feel this was a direct attack on the electorate. See our statement here

The denial of bail to prisoners of conscience continued. Terrence Manjengwa arrested on 24 August for protesting at the Harare Magistrates court over the arrest of Zengeza West MP Job Sikhala is still languishing in jail two months on. Manjengwa was recently blessed with a baby whom he is yet to see because of his continued incarceration. ZimRights spoke to Manjengwa before he was placed in custody. Here Manjengwa speaks about his ordeal at the hands of the police.

ZINASU president Takudzwa Ngadziore (22) arrested on 10 September for addressing a press statement 101 meters from Impala Car Rental demanding that Impala discloses information relating to the abduction of 22 year old MSU student Tawanda Muchehiwa was only given bail by the High Court on 16 October 2020 on after spending 36 days detained.

Many of our members remain a target of attack for their good work. We are standing with them. Three children escaped death by a whisker while property worth hundreds of dollars was destroyed after a hut belonging to a ZimRights member and Pastor with Africa Maranatha Faith Ministries, Lloyd Mapfumo caught fire in a suspected case of arson on the 2nd of October. The Mapfumo family has been pushing for children's rights in the area and speaking against partisan distribution of food aid in the community. Villagers suspect this could be the reason for the arson attack. ZimRights response team led by Mashonaland West Chairperson Rev. Chabonyonga and Programmes Coordinator Mr. Leo Chamahwinya visited Rev Mapfumo’s family and assisted with rebuilding his home. ZimRights condemned the attack and called on police to investigate the case and arrest perpetrators. Read our full statement on the website. Read our full statement here.

Members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) fatally shot two people on 30 September 2020 at Chisuma Business Centre, Victoria Falls after a misunderstanding. The soldiers that had been camped at one of the Primary School in Kachechete village ward 3 under Chief Mvuthu opened fire on the two civilians. ZimRights expressed concern over the increased extra judicial killings by the security forces. On the 11th of October, one person died after a shootout between intruders and security at former Zanu PF national Commissar, Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje (Rtd), homestead.

Police Brutality: On the 12th of October, Seven police officers, threw teargas canisters into a bus full of passengers at the Harare show grounds. ZimRights calls on the police to desist from being a force and become a service. On 22 October 2020,in Zaka, minors killed a soldier after he took the law into his hands and went on a revenge mission. He forced himself into a homestead of a family after the member of the family allegedly burnt his parent’s house and assaulted a woman. In defense of their mother the offenders attacked and killed the soldier.