3
HMA 36-18
HC 263/18
•
Teachers' forced contributions to the costs of the rallies ranged from $1 to $10. Failure
invited threats of harm or expulsion from certain districts.
•
At one rally held in Gweru in the Midlands Province, school children from grades 4 to
7 walked 11 [eleven] kilometres to the venue and 11 kilometres back. Teachers took
turns to walk and catch rides: one batch walking with the children to the venue whilst
the other batch using public transport at their own cost, and swapping roles for the
return trip.
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On 9 September 2017 there was a Youth Interface Rally for the first respondent that
was held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central Province. A directive was issued by a
District Administrator in the then Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and
Preservation of National Culture and Heritage which was addressed to primary and
secondary schools in Guruve. It read:
"APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MASH CENTRAL PRESIDENTIAL
YOUTH INTERFACE
The office of the District Administrator together with ZANU (PF) Youth League is appealing
for your contributions towards the Presidential Youth Interface rally on a date to be announced
soon.
You are aware that His Excellency the President Cde R G Mugabe is on a nationwide tour
meeting the youths and from Gweru on 1 September his next destination will be Bindura here
in Mashonaland Central. We are requesting for your contributions to buy food and ferry 12000
party supp01ters to Bindura.
The committee agreed that every civil servant should contribute $1-00 towards this memorable
event.
The deadline for the contributions is 6 September 2017.
For any fmther infonnation contact Mr Machobeni on 0782003702 or the undersigned on
0773 022151."
o
During elections, teachers are treated as illiterate voters in need of assistance in the
casting of the ballot.
o
At All Souls Mission School in Mutoko in Mashonaland Central Province the school
head forced teachers to create a political party cell and declare the names of such of
their children and relatives as had reached the voting age.
•
On 1 June 2018 the first respondent held a rally at Chegutu in Mashonaland West
Province. It was a Friday, a school day. Many schools in the surrounding areas were
closed in order to facilitate the attendance of school children. A journalist present at the
rally took pictures of children clad in the first respondent's party regalia carrying