HARARE – A report on the August 2023 elections by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) 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).

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.

“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.

The commission noted cyber-based advocacy group, Team Pachedu “had significant influence in the electoral processes.”

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.