A new report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association has revealed that many Zimbabweans feel increasingly unsafe from physical harm and violence, while others express concerns about the security of their property.
According to the findings in the report, titled “A Broken Calabash,” 65 percent of the surveyed population said they felt unsafe, while 70 percent noted concerns about the safety of their land and property.
“The main findings of the survey regarding personal security show that 65.52 percent of respondents do not feel safe from physical harm or violence in their daily lives, while only 13.79 percent feel secure,” the report reads. “Additionally, only 12.37 percent of citizens feel secure in their jobs or livelihood, while 68.82 percent do not feel economically secure.”
Concerns over property security were equally prominent, with 70.97 percent of respondents saying they do not believe their land and property are safe, compared to only 11.29 percent who feel confident in the security of their property.
The report also highlighted that 77.42 percent of respondents do not trust the government to protect them from harm, while a mere 6.99 percent expressed trust in the government’s ability to do so.
“A significant 89.19 percent of respondents believe that people in their community are not treated equally and do not receive equal protection under the law,” the report continued, adding that only 2.16 percent expressed confidence in equal treatment and legal protection.
The report also outlined key demands made by the respondents, including calls for stronger law enforcement and justice systems. It emphasised the need for developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions to foster sustainable peace in Zimbabwe.
“One major demand was the reform of political institutions and processes,” the report noted. “Respondents highlighted that elections have become a significant threat to peace due to the toxic political climate, marked by intolerance, hate speech, and violence. They demanded reforms not only to electoral laws but also to institutions like the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to ensure a level political playing field.”
Additionally, the report called for enhanced transparency and efforts to combat corruption, with public officials urged to act professionally and impartially. Respondents also demanded that local authorities improve service delivery and that the government ensure access to basic amenities for all.
“There was also a call for promoting community dialogue and reconciliation,” the report stated. “Respondents expressed frustration with commissions that show no real commitment to peace and condemned the pervasive culture of impunity that allows perpetrators of abuses to evade accountability. They stressed that peace in Zimbabwe cannot be achieved without justice.”
