Addressing journalists in Harare today, ZLHR programmes manager, Dzimbabwe Chimbga accused the police of participating in the forced eviction of some 150 families from Arnold Farm in Mazowe in early January.
In Chisumbanje, Manicaland, villagers were also assaulted by the police and continued to be chased away from tilling in the fields.
“The insensitive and callous demolition of housing structures and eviction of people, coupled with the assault of villagers by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, stamped the State’s intention to continue violating their constitutionally protected rights and commit rights abuse excesses with impunity.
“The government has dismally failed to follow the dictates of the law in executing the evictions and demolition of property, given that the constitution provides for people’s right to shelter and freedom from arbitrary eviction as enshrined in Sections 28 and 74 of the supreme law of the land,” said Chimbga.
He noted that ZLHR was deeply concerned by the defiance of lawful court orders and the appetite by State authorities and law enforcement agents to citizens’ rights.
Chimbga said the evictions stripped affected families which included women and children of their constitutional right to shelter and dignity.
The victims, Chimbga said, have been exposed to hostile weather during the rainy season.
“The number of internally displaced persons has increased as a result of the state behaviour in violation of the Kampala Convention that Zimbabwe ratified recently,” said Chimbga.
Families targeted by the evictions in Mazowe and Chisumbanje are being represented by ZLHR to stop the unconstitutional action.
The High Court on Monday ordered a stop to the Mazowe evictions, a move that Amnesty International has hailed.
Post published in: Human Rights