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ZIMBABWEPEACEPROJECT

COVID-19ACCOUNTABILITYTRACKER.COVID-19ZIMBABWECASESAS@31MAY2021 Cases:38,961Recoveries:36,594Active771Deaths:1,596Vaccinations:675,678

Overview.SummaryFindingsandRecommendations.MajorHighlights.Background.ConstitutionalProvisions,Laws,InstrumentsandPoliciesonCOVID-19ManagementinZimbabwe.FieldObservations.TheRighttoHealthCare1.FoodandWaterSecurity2.LivelihoodandSocialSecurity3.RightsofWomenandChildren4.SupportforVulnerableGroups5.(personswithdisabilities,prisoners,placesofdetention)6.RighttoHumanDignity, FreedomfromTortureorcruelinhumane6.degradingtreatmentorpunishmentAccesstoInformationandFreedomof7.Expression,andtheMedia RighttoEducation8. FreedomofMovement9.Transparencyaroundtheuseofpublic10.fundsintheCOVID-19(Prevention,ContainmentandTreatment)Programme.Conclusion

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OverviewThepandemicisheretostay.Theemergenceofthethirdwaveandcomplexvariantsrequiresthatgovernmentsintegratepoliciesandpracticesthatprotectitscitizensfromexposureandthreattolife.Theneedfornotableshift andalignmentofbudgetpriorities to strengthenhealthcare delivery systems becomes inescapable,particularly in Zimbabwe’s public care and supportcentres.TheStatutoryInstrument77of2020whichwasestablishedtoprevent,containandtreatCOVID-19,thePublicHealthOrder, is largely restrictiveandpunitive.The instrument pays more emphasis on what is notallowed and punishment thereof and little on thepromotion of citizens’ well-being. Though thevaccination programme rollout recorded the onemillionthjab,thereisaneedtoaddressthelivelihoodquestionandcontinuedinfringementofhumanrights.ThefiftheditionoftheCOVID-19AccountabilityTrackercovers relateddevelopments in themonthsApril andMay 2021 focusing on documented human rightsviolations andprejudices ensuing from theCOVID-19managementmeasuresinstitutedbytheGovernmentofZimbabwe.

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InthepasttwomonthsAprilandMay2021,thereweregrowingincidencesofclearselectiveenforcementoftheCOVID-19StatutoryInstrument77of2020-ThePublicHealthOrder,forpoliticalexpediencebytheincumbentZanu-PF. Zimbabweansincludingthoseformallyemployed,resortedtoinformaltradingtomakeendsmeet. Some sections of the private sector reduced the number of working days foremployeesandonlyremuneratedforthedaystheycametowork.Thisresultedina40%salarycut. TherewasanewwaveofdemolitionsofvendingstallsandharassmentofvendorsbyajointoperationoflocalauthoritiesandZimbabwepolice.Thedisruptionworsenedthetolloninformaltradersandcompoundedthealreadybleakfutureunderthepandemic. Therewereincreasingreportsofpeoplebeingturnedawayongroundsofnon-availabilityoftheCOVID-19 vaccine. Peoplewho are not vaccinated are exposed to severities of theimminentthirdwaveandvariantsfromIndiaandneighbouringSouthAfrica. TherewerenorecordedbeneficiariesofthegovernmentCOVID-19relieffundinthepasttwomonthsAprilandMay2021. Strengthenthepushforacultureofobservanceoftheruleoflaw,andconstitutionalism.Allgovernmentinstitutions,agenciesandindividualsmustbeboundbythelawandapplythelawsconsistentwiththeConstitution.Forpurposesofaccountability,publicofficialsmustbeheldliablefortheiractions,throughcourtsandotheraccountabilitymechanisms. Promotepublic accountability andgoodgovernanceof thenational social security andsocialwelfarefundsadministrationinensuringthattheyareresponsivewhenaneedarises.TheActsofParliamentadministeringthefundsmustberestructuredtoprovidefortheiravailabilitytomitigateformalsectoremployeedistressduringdisasters. Mobilise forpublicpetitions andurgent court applications to stop thedemolitions andharassmentofinformaltraders.Centralgovernmentandlocalauthoritiesmustfirstprovideviablealternativesandincentivestoinformaltraders. Governmentmustprioritisedisbursementofresourcestowardstheprocurementofmorevaccinesandstrengthentheaccountabilitymechanismsoftheprocurementsystemandfairdisbursements/distributionofthevaccines. GovernmentthroughtheMinistryofPublicService,LabourandSocialWelfare,mustinviteand encourage cooperationwith development partners and the private sector towardsmitigatingextremepovertyandhungerofthoseaffectedbytheCOVID-19pandemic.

RECOMMENDATIONS

FINDINGS

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SummaryFindingsandRecommendations.

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ThebeginningoftheperiodcoveredbythefiftheditionoftheCOVID-19AccountabilityTrackerwasmarkedbythewidelyquestioned launch of the COVID-19 Awareness PostageStampcampaign.OfficiallyunveiledonApril1st,2021bytheVicePresidentGeneralRetiredDrConstantinoChiwengawhoisalsotheMinisterofHealthandChildCare,theeffectivenessoftheCOVID-19awarenessstampinitiativewhichisarguedtoaugment government’s programmes on the pandemic’spreventionandcontainmenteffortsbygettingthemessageoutondomestic,regionalandinternationalpostageishighlyquestionable.Despitetheworldhavingmovedsignificantlytoembracingdigitalformsofcommunication,thenotsothoughtthrough initiative exposes risks of contracting the virusthroughmultiplephysicalcontactpointsinthemailingsystem.

MajorHighlights

TheCOVID-19AccountabilityTrackernoteswithconcernthedeepseatedselectiveapplicationoflawandwhatisnowwidelytermedweaponisationofCOVID-19tosilencevoicesofconscienceandhumanrightsdefenders.HumanrightsactivistMakomboreroHaruzivishewasonApril6th,2021,sentencedtoaneffectivefourteen(14)monthsinprisonforincitingpublicviolenceandresistingarrest.Perpetually incarceratedrightsactivistsJoanaMamombe,CeciliaChimbiriandNetsaiMarovaarefacingchargesofviolatingCOVID-19regulationsinZimbabwe.OnApril22nd,2021,JoanaMamombewasinhumanelyhauledbacktoChikurubiPrisonfromahospitalwhereshewasgettingtreatmentfromincarcerationailments.OnMay4th,2021,oppositionleaderJacobNgarivhumewasarrestedanddetainedforconductingaclean-upcampaigninHarare’soldestsuburbMbarewithoutpoliceclearance.Applicationsforpoliceclearancesbythoseregardedasanti-establishmentareinnearlyallcases,turneddowncitingtiredargumentsthatthepolicedonothaveenoughmanpower to cover the activity or event.Meanwhile, thenewly appointedVicePresidentoftheAffirmativeActionGroup(AAG)PassionJavahasbeengoingontoursaroundthecountryandgatheringlargecrowdsbuthasnotoncebeenarrestedforviolationoftheCOVID-19guidelines.Most ifnotallZanu-PFmeetingsdisregardCOVID-19preventionandcontainmentmeasures,someofthemeetingsandgatherings includetheunveilingoftheMbuyaNehandastatueatthecornerofSamoraMachelAvenueandJuliusNyerereonAfricaday25May2021amidstahugegathering.At theMbuyaNehandastatueunveilingceremony,aZanu-PFyouthidentifiedasBernardChitemewascapturedliveoncamerathreateningtobeatuppeopleintheopposition,whichactandstatementhaditbeenmadebythoseregardedasanti-establishmentwouldhavebeenmetwithamanhunt,arrestandimprisonment.Thegovernment’sbasicservicesinefficiencieshaveexposedthetransactingpublictoCOVID-19.Publicservicecentressuchasthepassportoffice,birthanddeathregistrationareovercrowdedwithpeoplehardlyobserving safepractices.Thepublic response tomisplacedeffortsby theMinister of HomeAffairs Kazembe Kazembe to expose acts of corruption by disguising andarrestinga toutat thepassportoffice,actuallypointed to theneed to improvepublic serviceefficiency. In thewakeof the likely thirdwave and severities of the Indian andSouthAfricanvariants,ZimbabwehasexperiencedanincreaseinCOVID-19caseswhichisconcerningtakingintoaccountthecountry’sreadinessorlackthereofshouldthethirdwavehitZimbabwe.BondolfiTeachersCollegewasplacedunderalocalisedlockdownafteraspikeinCOVID-19caseswaswitnessedattheCollege.

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MajorHighlights

InthisvolatileCOVID-19era,thequalityofthelivelihoodofZimbabweanscontinuestodeclinewithoutanyendinsightastherearenopracticalmeasuresputinplacebythegovernment tocushion thoseaffected.The initiativebythe Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) to document andreporthumanrightsviolationsinZimbabweensuingfromthemannerinwhichgovernmentisimplementingeffortstoprevent,containandtreatthepandemic-TheCOVID-19AccountabilityTracker,isstrengthenedbythegrowingnumber of reports of various forms of violationsparticularly thosedirectlyaffectingthepoor,vulnerableandmarginalisedgroups.TheTrackerfacilitateseaseofreportingincidentsonamobilephoneself-administeredquestionnaire by those affected and at the same timeprotecting them from possible victimisation in theirrespective communities. The COVID-19 AccountabilityTracker is a structured bi-monthly publication thatdocumen t s re l a t ed c a se s o f v i o l a t i on s andrecommendations to help Civil Society, among otherinterest groups, to lobby for conducive livelihoodenvironmentsunderCOVID-19.

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Background

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ConstitutionalProvisions,Laws,InstrumentsandPoliciesonCOVID-19ManagementinZimbabwe.TheZimbabweCOVID-19Prevention,ContainmentandTreatmentmeasuresarestillinformedandgovernedbythePublicHealthOrder.Inthissection,theTrackerunpacksthe gazetted amendments to the order and other related instruments that wereenforcedduringtheperiodApril1sttoMay31st2021.OnApril1st,2021aStatutoryInstrument87Aof2021,thePublicHealth(COVID-19Prevention,Containment andTreatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment)Order,2021(No.19),madeapreventionprovisionforalikelyinfluxoftravellerscomingfortheEasterHoliday(1stApril,2021to6thApril,2021).Theprovisionreinforcedtheconditionsfortravellerscomingfromneighbouringandothercountries,whichrequiredCOVID-19PCRtestsandcertificateswithinaperiodof48hrsandaquarantineof10daysrespectively.TheamendmentspellsoutthattouristswhovolunteeredtobevaccinatedcouldaccessvaccinationservicesavailableinZimbabweattheirownexpense.OnApril9th, 2021, Statutory Instrument 95 of 2021, The Postal and Telecommunications(Telecommunications TrafficMonitoring System) Regulations, 2021 provided for themonitoringoftelecommunicationstraffic.Intheinstrument,“monitoring”isdefinedasobservationandsupervisionoftelecommunicationstraffic,inparticular,signallingdata,excluding the capability to record,monitoror tap into the contentof anypersonalcommunication.TheinstrumentallowstheAuthorityoranyentityactingonitsbehalf,toinstall andmaintain necessary equipment in, on, upon or under telecommunicationlicenceholder’snetworkandthelicenceholderprovidealltherequiredsupportandspacefortheinstallationofthemonitoringsystemontheirpremises;andfacilitatetheinstallationofdatatransmissionequipmentbetweentheAuthority’smonitoringsysteminstalledattheirswitchcentresandtheAuthority’smainoperatingcentre.6

On May 7th, 2021. Statutory Instrument 108 of 2021 Public Health (COVID-19Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No.2) (Amendment)Order, 2021 (No.20) amendedStatutory Instrument 200of 2020.Of notewere therepealssection26Candsubstitutes“personsenteringZimbabwefromneighbouringand other countries'' for “persons entering Zimbabwe” to separate and specifyconditions for travellersor tourists toZimbabweand those for returningcitizensorresidentsofZimbabwe,personsreferredtoinsection8(1)(i)of200of2020andanationalorordinaryresidentofaSADCcountryintransitthroughZimbabwetoanotherSADCcountry. The amendment emphasises on the standing requirement for theabovementionedexcludingthedefined“personsenteringZimbabwe”,toundergoavalidCOVID-19PCR test notmore than48hrs from the timeof theirdeparture forZimbabweandself-quarantineathomeforaperiodof10daysfromthedateofarrivalinZimbabwe.TouristsandtravellersregardlessoftheCOVID-19testresultshouldself-quarantineinahotelattheirexpenseforaperiodof10daysfromthedayofarrivalinZimbabweandthereafterreleasedfromquarantineafterbeingfoundtobenegativeforCOVID-19.OnMay14th,2021,Statutory Instrument119of2021,thePublicHealth (COVID-19Prevention,Containment andTreatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment)Order,2021(No.21)amendedStatutoryInstrument200of2020insection19C(“Specialprovisions for liquor licensees”) with “Provided that restaurant (ordinary) liquorlicensees,hotelliquorlicenseesandhotel(private)licenseesmaysellliquortocustomersforconsumptiononthepremisesduringordinarylicensedhours.”On May 24th, 2021, Statutory Instrument 125A of 2021.Public Health (COVID-19Prevention,Containment andTreatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment)Order,2021(No.22)wasamendedbytheinsertionof“SpeciallockdownofKwekweDistrict''whichintroducedadditionalmeasurestotheotherrestrictionsimposedbytheorder.Theadditionalmeasuressetacurfewfrom1900hoursto0600Hours,novisitorspermitted at boarding schools and all day schools observing the COVID-19 schoolprotocols, all bars, drinkingplaces, beer halls andbottle stores closed, all businesspermittedtooperatebytheotherprovisionsoftheordershouldnotopenearlierthan0800hoursorcloselaterthan1700hours,allgatheringsforthepurposeofafuneralrestricted to30persons, andmayonly takeplace in thepresenceof,orunder thesupervisionorguidanceof,anenforcementofficer,andallothergatheringprohibited.7

OnMay26th,2021,StatutoryInstrument126of2021wasarepublicationofStatutoryInstrument125Aof2021withcorrectionsonthedatefromJanuary3rdtoJune3rd,2021.AlsoonMay26th,2021,Statutory Instrument127of2021.ThePresidentialPowers(Temporary Measures) (Financial Laws Amendment) Regulations, 2021 introducedForeignCurrencyRegulationsattractingpenaltiesofupto$5Million.TheInstrumentstipulatesthatforeigncurrencyseekersareexpectedtoproperlyusemoneysourcedfromtheReserveBankofZimbabwe’sauctionsystem.TheStatutoryInstrumentfurtherstipulatedthatitisanoffenceforgoodsandservicestobechargedonlyinU.Sdollars.OnMay31st,2021,StatutoryInstrument134Aof2021,thePublicHealth(COVID-19Prevention,Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment)Order,2021(No.23),furtherqualifiedthedefinitionof“personsenteringZimbabwe”toflagpersonsarrivingfromIndiaorwhotransitedthroughIndiainthecourseoftheirjourneytoZimbabwe.ThesepersonsshouldbesubjectedtoaCOVID-19PCRtestattheirownexpenseandiffoundnegative,bequarantinedinahotel(designatedforthepurposebyanenforcementofficer)athisorherownexpense,foraperiodof10daysfromdateofarrivalinZimbabweandattheendofwhichperiodheorshesubmittobeingretestedforCOVID-19athisorherownexpensebyoratthedirectionofanenforcementofficer.Iffoundtobepositive,thepersonistakentoanisolationcentreandexpensesbornebytheisolatedperson.

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FieldObservations.9

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RighttoHealthcare.FortheperiodofobservationApril-May2021,theGovernmenthadfullyrolledoutits vaccination programme, with longqueuesbeingtheorderofthedayatthenational vaccination centre WilkinsHospital,whichledtothedecentralisationoftheprogrammetolocalsatelliteclinics.As much as this was a noble idea, thegovernment was not quite prepared asseenbytheclinics’nothavingtheofficialvaccinationcardsandthereforeusingtheiroutpatientcardsasarecordofvaccination.

The Tracker notes that two respondents from Manicaland, one in Buhera Ward 5,Manjengwavillage,andanotherinChipingeWard8Urban,submittedthattheyhadnotseenorheardofanyCOVID-19vaccinationprogram.However,morethan99%oftherespondentsconfirmedtheexistenceoftherolloutintheirrespectivecommunities,with31.8%vaccinated.Thereasonforthosenotvaccinatedwaslargelybecausetheydidn’ttrustthevaccine. Inadequate information given to the general populace on theeffectivenessorbenefitsofthevaccine. Some areas did not get the vaccine hence people could not getvaccinatedeventhoughtheywantedto.Issues

TheMinistryofHealthshouldnotonlyrelyonthetraditionalmediatoeducatethepublicandgiveoutinformationontheavailablevaccines,non-conventionalcommunityoutreachcanbemoreeffectiveinreachingthetargetedaudience. Reputableinfluencersmustleadtheinformationrolloutonthevaccineandvaccinationprogram.Recommendations

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FieldReports.

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According to a World Food ProgrammeSituationReportonZimbabwepostedon28May2021,7.1millionpeoplewereinneedofhumanitarian assistance for the periodbetween January to April 2021. These direfiguresareacauseofgreatconcerninthefaceoftheCOVID-19pandemicwhichhasgreatlyreduced productivity of the Zimbabweanpeople.FoodandWaterSecurity

Therespondentsconfirmedthefoodsecurityscareas81.8%indicatedthattherehasnotbeenanyfooddistributioninthepasttwomonths.Accesstocleanwaterwasflaggedasthemajorconcernatcommunitywaterpoints.

Government must step up the call for food relief aid and bring allstakeholdersincludingdevelopmentagenciesandtheprivatesectortocontributetowardthefoodbasket. Foodshouldbefairlydistributedtoallwhoqualify Morecleanwatersourcesshouldbemadeavailableincommunities

.Nofooddistributionprogrammesinmostofthereportedcommunities. Lackoftransparencyonthepartofthoseinchargeoffooddistributionincommunities LimitedcleanwatersourcesincommunitiestherebycausingcongestionattheavailablewatersourcesIssuesRecommendations

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FieldReports.

LivelihoodandSocialSecurity.In a country where the majority of thecitizensarenotformallyemployedandrelyon informal trading and vending tomakeends meet and where there is a largenumber of child headed or orphanedfamilies,socialsafetynetsinZimbabwearenotquitetransparentandreadilyavailabletothosewhoaredeserving.Thisdisparityhasinevitablycausedablatantdisregardtothe COVID-19 regulations as the generalconsensusisthatmakingendsmeettofeedthefamilyishigherontheirprioritylistthanfollowing guidelines while the familystarves.

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Thoughlessthanhalf(43.61%)indicatedthattheyhadgoneadaywithoutapropermeal,respondentsclearlystatedthatthegovernmenthadnoroletowardstheirlivelihoodandsocialsecurity.Allrespondentswereunawareofanygovernmentprogrammeandfeelthatthegovernmentisnotdoingenoughtohelpaffectedpeople. MostZimbabweansgettheirincomefrominformaltrading MajorityofZimbabweanshaveatonepointgoneforadaywithouthavingasinglemeal Zimbabweansfeltthatthegovernmentwasnotdoingenoughtocushionthoseinneed The PublicHealthOrdermust incorporate practicalways of assistingaffected people from the lockdowns and restrictions to economicactivities. ThereisanurgentneedforpoliciesthatoffersocialsecuritytothoseZimbabweans thatare inneed, it isquitedishearteningwhenpeoplespendadaywithouthavingapropermeal.

IssuesRecommendations

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FieldReports.

RightsofWomenandChildren. Crampedlivingspaces,moneyproblemsandworries,inadequatepublictransportationaswellashealth issueshave ledto increasingsexual and physical violence especiallyagainst women and children. Due to theeconomic conditions, Zimbabweans cannotafford adequate accommodation for theirfamilies and this has led to cramped livingconditions, coupled with the frustration ofnotbeingabletomakeendsmeet,womenfind themselvesbearing thebruntof thesefrustrations. In one newspaper article a 3-year-old boy was fatally assaulted by hisfatherfortakingfoodfromthepotbeforehehadbeentoldtodoso,thisjustexposesthefrustration being caused by lack orinadequate resources. In this instance thechild’s right to basic needs and protectionwereviolatedsadlyleadingtohisdeath.

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ArespondentinWard10,ChipingeinManicalandreportedthatthereisnofunctionalclinic to service more than 1,000 homesteads particularly those in need of sexualreproductivehealthcare.Patientshavetoeitherhire transportorwalkadistanceofbetween14kmto18kmtoaccesshealthcareservices.45.4%oftherespondentshavebeensubjectedtoorwitnessedabuseofwomenandchildren.Youngchildrenofschoolgoing age are seduced into relationships and the parents are warming up to thepossibilityofgettingabrideprice. Prevalenceofgenderbasedviolenceinmanycommunitiesisstillhigh ContraceptivesbeingsoldinUSDwhichmostwomendonothaveaccesstotherebytheSRHRbeingviolated Children are facing thebruntof the tougheconomic conditions theirparentsaregoingthroughasparentsaretakingouttheirfrustrationsonthem Sexualreproductivehealthservicesshouldbeofferedtowomenfreeofchargetoensuretheirrightsareprotected More community outreach programmes must be rolled out so thatwomenandchildrenhaveasafespacetoreportviolenceagainstthemandgetthejusticetheyrequire. Thereshouldnotonlybepsychologicalsupportforchildrenbutthosefromfamilieswithanevidentneedmustalsoreceivefoodpackagestoreduce the number of children's lives that are being lost due tounavoidableissues

Issues

Recommendations

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FieldReports.

SupportforVulnerableGroupsInanewspaperinterview,afteroneofhismany incarcerations, popular JournalistHopewellChin’onodescribedprisonsasinhumane and overcrowded posing amassive coronavirus risk. In April thegovernment released 320 prisoners tocreatespaceintheovercrowdedprisons.This may not be the most appropriatesolutionassomeprisonersifnotmostofthem,will endupback in theprisons ifthey had not rece ived adequaterehabilitationbythetimeofreleaseandtheovercrowdingwillcontinue

VulnerablegroupsinZimbabweremainatthe tail end of support, where personswith disabilities are in some instancesunabletowork,theyhavereceivedlittleto no support from the Government.Whentheytrytomakealittleincomebyvendingon the streets their goods andwares may be confiscated by theauthoritiesforvendinginnon-designatedareas.

(personswithdisabilities,prisoners,placesofdetention)

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Allrespondentsknowofsomeonewithadisability,howeverreportedthattheyarenotawareofanyCOVID-19supportframeworkforpersonswithdisabilitiesandvulnerablegroups. The affected persons survive on food handouts and small donations fromindividualsinthecommunity. Communities thatarealsostrugglinghave takenup the role that thegovernmentshouldbedoingbytryingtofeedthevulnerablegroupsintheirsocieties. VulnerablegroupsinZimbabweremainmarginalised,theyreceivenexttonothingifnotnothingintermsofassistancefromthegovernment Itisofparamountimportancethatthegovernmentlooksintothewelfareofthevulnerablegroupsandcraftpoliciesthatprotecttheminsteadofviolatingtheirrights Prisonsanddetentioncentresshouldbemademorehabitable,thereisneedtohavemoreprisonstoavoidovercrowding

IssuesRecommendations

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FieldReports.

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RighttoHumanDignity,FreedomfromTortureorcruelinhumanedegradingtreatment. Therighttohumandignityisviolatedalmostona daily basis, from harassment and arrest ofvendors, to inhumane treatment of thosearrestedsuchasthemodeoftransporttheyaretransportedtothecourtsin,beingexpectedtoattendcourtsessionsevenwhentheyarenotingoodhealth.Therehavealsobeenreportsofalleged torture especially in respect of thoseconsideredtobehumanrightschampions.

Itissadtonotethat90.9%oftherespondentsconfirmedthatpeoplehaveresortedtostreetvendingtomakealiving.Manywereharassedbythepolice Policearearrestingvendorsastheytrytomakealivinginanenvironmentwherejobsarescarce. Thevendorsarebeingmadetopayfinesfrommoneythattheydonothave. LawenforcementagentstakingbribessoasnottoarrestthevendorsIssues

Instead of just arresting vendors for selling in undesignated points, awholisticapproachshouldbetakentogettotherootoftheproblemofsomanyvendorsonthestreets Lawenforcementagentsshouldfollowthelawandnottakebribes TrainingshouldbegiventolawenforcementagentsespeciallythepolicysothattheyunderstandthereisnoneedforviolenceorharassmentintheirlineofdutyRecommendations

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FieldReports.

In a Cab inet meet ing report , thegovernment“notedwithconcerntheriseinthedisseminationofCOVID-19fakenews”in the same report thepublic is urged totaketheMinistryofHealthandChildCareas the only source of information on theCOVID-19 situation. The question to beanswered here is how accessible is theinformation from the Ministry for allcitizens,notonlythoseinurbanareaswhohaveaccesstotelevision,radioandsocialmedia? How effective has been thedissemination of information through theofficialchannelsandwhydopeoplepreferto take news from unofficial platformsinstead of the official ones. It is becauseinformationfromtheofficialplatformsisnotreadilyaccessibleandthemediatheyusedoesnotreachcitizensinremoteareas.

AccesstoInformationandFreedomofExpression,andtheMedia.

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Socialmediaistheprimarysourceofinformationforallrespondents.Peoplerelyandmake decisions based on unverified information circulated via WhatsApp Groups.71.28% of the respondents felt that information on COVID-19 vaccination wasinadequateforthemtomakeaninformeddecisionwhethertobevaccinatedornot. Peopleareafraidofexercisingtheirrighttofreedomofexpressionastheyfearbeingarrestedandincarcerated Majority of Zimbabweans do not have access to reliable sources ofinformationastheycanbebeyondthereachofmanyfinancially,hencethey have to rely on unreliable and unconfirmed sources such asWhatsAppforwards. Accesstoinformationandthefreedomofexpressionandthemediaasenshrined in the country’s constitution should be respected andenforced. Informationshouldbereadilyavailableandaffordabletoallcitizens

Issues

Recommendations

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FieldReports.

RighttoEducation. Education in Zimbabwe, has been hanging in thebalance for a while now owing to the poorremuneration of teachers. Even though thegovernmenthasmadeveiledthreatstoteacherstotaketheirdutiesseriouslyandeducatethepupilsintheircare,theworkingconditionsandlowsalariesareacauseforconcernastowhetherteachersaredoingagoodjobeducatingchildren.Insomeareasin Zimbabwe some schools do not have formalschoolstructuresandpupilsareforcedtolearnwhilekneelingorcrouchingandthishasgreatlyreducedthe quality of education.With these scenarios inmindtheRighttoEducationmayceasetobearightbutbecomeaprivilegetothoseinurbanareasandthosewhocanaffordtopayfeesinprivateschoolsorforextralessons.

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86.36%oftherespondentsconfirmedthatchildrenwereaffectedregardingaccesstoeducation.Schoolsresortedtodividedclasseswithchildrentakingturnsondaystocometoschool,effectivelylosing50%oflearningtime.ArespondentfromVillageB,MhondoroNgeziinMashonalandWestreportedthatchildrenwereturnedawayfornon-paymentofschoolfees. Insomeareaspupilshavebeenturnedawayfromschoolfornon-paymentoffeeswhentheirparentscannotraisetherequiredfees InmostschoolsbothurbanandruralthereislackofadequatePPEs,somestudentscannotaffordmasksandsanitisersandthereforepauseathreattotheirhealth. Governmentshouldputinplaceresponsiveeducationpoliciesthatcancaterforsuchunforeseencircumstancessuchaspandemics. Masksandsanitisersshouldbegivenfreelytostudentssoastoensureeveryoneisprotectedandtominimisetheriskofhavingtoshutdownschoolsinthefaceoflockdownsduetoincreasedinfections. SafewaterisabasicrightandshouldbemadeavailableinallschoolsespeciallyduringtheCOVID-19pandemic Safetyofteachersandtheirworkingconditionsshouldbeaddressedasamatterofurgencytoensureuninterruptedlearning.

IssuesRecommendations

FieldReports.

Albeit the COVID-19 lockdownrestrictions have been relaxed andthere aren’ t any restr ict ions tomovementperse,commutersstillfinditdifficultfromtheirhomestoworkorjustgenerally frompointA topointBdue to the ban or restrictions oncommuter omnibuses except thoseregisteredtoZUPCOthestateownedbuscompany.Commutershaveoptedtohike,flaggingprivate carsand thishasexposedthemtorogueelements,who have robbed or raped theirpassengers.

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FreedomofMovement.

Though all respondents indicated that they were able to travel under difficultcircumstances,theyfeltthattheGovernmentbanoncommuteromnibusesimpactedontheirfreedomofmovement.TravelershadtoeitherchoosetowaitforZUPCObusesorpayexorbitanttransportfaresonillegallycommutingminibuses. The government sanctioned transport is inadequate to cater for thepopulationandhenceleavescommutersstranded Transport has become very expensive for the average Zimbabweanlimitingtheirfreedomofmovement Somelawssuchasthebanofprivatecommuteromnibuseswhilstlookingoutforthesafetyofcommuterscanberestrictivetotheverypeopleitissupposedtoprotect. Thegovernment shouldbring inmorebuses toensureadequateandaffordabletransportationforcommuters Lawsshouldbelookedatholisticallysoasnottoinconveniencetheverypeoplethataresupposedtobeprotectedbythem.

Issues

Recommendations

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FieldReports.

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TransparencyaroundtheuseofpublicfundsintheCOVID-19ThereisneedfortotaltransparencyinregardstotheCOVID-19vaccinesthatweredonatedtothegovernmentfromChinaandIndiaastherealreadyappears to be shortages, peoplewhogot theirfirstdoseandwere looking toget their seconddoseofthevaccinefoundthemselvesstrugglingto get the second dose as many vaccinationcentershadapparently runout.This thenraiseseyebrows as to whether the governmentmiscalculatedthenumberofvaccinesversusthenumberofpeoplevaccinated,doesthenumberofvaccinesadministeredtallywiththenumberofpeople recorded as having been vaccinated?These are questions that Zimbabweans needanswerstoandtransparencybythegovernmentisthe only way to assuage the fears of misadministration.

(Prevention,ContainmentandTreatment)Programme.

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NocaseswerereportedofpersonsattemptingtoselltheCOVID-19vaccine.63.29%oftherespondentswereawareofthedonationsofCOVID-19vaccinesfromChinaandIndia. ReportsofhowtheCOVID-19vaccineshavebeenadministeredarenotveryaccessibletollespeciallythosewithoutaccesstosocialmediaandnewspapers TheGovernmentshouldintroducemorewaystoensureadequatereportbacksothatthereisnoinformationgapIssuesRecommendations

FieldReports.

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Whilstthegovernment’svaccinationdrivehasseenalargenumberofcitizensvaccinated,thereisstillahugegaptoget to thedesiredvaccinated60%of thepopulation inordertoachievetherequiredherdimmunity.Evenso,itappearsthevaccinesarefastrunningoutwithpeopleattimesturnedawayfromvaccinationcentresbecausethevaccineshaverunout.Thereisurgentneedtoaddressthevaccineissuesoasnottounderminetheprogressmadesofarbyhavingpartofthepopulationonlygettingthefirstdose and then failing to get the second dose of thevaccine.Government’scommitmentremainscriticalinallother areas not just the health of the citizens. Theeconomicsituationinthecountryneedstobeactivelyandswiftly addressed so that Zimbabweans become self-sufficientandnotrelyonfoodaidorhandoutsinordertosurvey.TherightsofZimbabweansshouldbeupheldatalltimes,inallspheresandjusticetoallfreelygivenwithoutcompromise.

Conclusion

ZIMBABWEPEACEPROJECT

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