CONTEXTUAL ASSESSMENT

Heavy military presence in Masvingo Urban

By Ephraim Mutombeni

MACRAD Trust

Last week scores of Masvingo residents were forced to return home and their exemption letters were confiscated.

The heavy military presence and strictness at roadblocks is sign of government’s panicky reaction to promised demonstrations against worsening economic situation.

It has been a week and a couple of days with no fuel in Masvingo.

Since last week vehicles were just queuing for fuel.

UPDATES

Nine MDC Alliance district chairpersons were arrested on 9 June 2020 in Masvingo and they were fined $500rtgs each for violating lockdown rules.

The opposition party members blamed the police for operating in a partisan manner.

Last week in Gutu North, MP Yeukai Simbanegavi addressed a gathering of more than hundred people in Nyazvidzi but she was not arrested.

About MACRAD

Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Development (MACRAD) Trust is an independent Zimbabwean Community Based Civil Society institution committed to the development of socio-economic rights and agrarian systems that enhance equitable land rights and sustainable land uses throughout Zimbabwe.

MACRAD interacts with various organizations and communities to assist them in developing capacity for policy formulation and research. It also facilitates policy dialogue among communities, governments, academics, civil society and others on land and agrarian development, especially the land rights of marginalized social groups.

Masvingo Center for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) is driven by a desire to contribute towards improved rural livelihoods that should lead to greater capacities for the rural poor to determine their own destinies and contribute towards national development.

MACRAD has worked with citizens in resettlements areas around Masvingo Province on civic and voter education to ensure their voices are heard.

We support victims and survivors of diverse forms of conflict, violence, displacement and disenfranchisement. MACRAD’s approach entails encouraging continuous policy debates and refinement of policy.

This is achieved through generation and provision of research based information, platforms for dialogue, creating and nurturing a policy community in Zimbabwe.

The ambition of Masvingo Center for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) is to provide leadership in socio-economic justice and land-agrarian policy processes, to become a Centre of Excellence and remain an independent and credible center for knowledge on social and economic justice.

We support victims and survivors of diverse forms of conflict, violence, displacement and disenfranchisement.