Zimbabwe – Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 19 October 2016

1.Please provide information on the treatment of PDP members in . 2. What is the relationship between the PDP party and the MDC party? 3. What is the relationship between the PDP party and the Zanu PF party?

A report published by the International Crisis Group, in a section titled “The Shifting Political Landscape” (paragraph headed “Opposition Doldrums”), states:

“The main opposition MDC-T remains fragmented. Its former secretary general, , and treasurer general, , broke ranks with Tsvangirai to form MDC Renewal in August 2014. Mangoma split from that party in June 2015 to establish the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe. That September, MDC Renewal relaunched itself as the People’s Democratic Party.” (International Crisis Group (29 February 2016) Zimbabwe: Stranded in Stasis, p.10)

An article from Africa Confidential, in a paragraph headed “'Mob-ocracy'”, states:

“The PDP is led by Tendai Biti, former MDC Secretary General and respected Finance Minister in the coalition government with ZANU-PF before he broke away in 2014. Its Deputy Secretary General, Tongai Matutu, reacted angrily to the MDC-T's new attitude towards a coalition and called its protests a form of 'mob-ocracy'. The PDP has abandoned rallies after small turnouts but has been busy producing weekly policy briefs for journalists and the public via email. Much like the breakaway MDC formation led by , its impact on the political arena has been marginal.” (Africa Confidential (29 April 2016) Despite mobilising thousands against the government, the opposition is failing to exploit the ruling party's weakness and division)

A report from Voice of America Zimbabwe states:

“Five opposition parties formed a coalition on Tuesday that will challenge President and his Zanu PF party in the 2018 general elections. The parties are Mavambo Kusile Dawn led by , Professor Welshman Ncube’s Movement for Democratic Change formation, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe led by Elton Mangoma, Democratic Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment and Zimbabweans United for Democracy. Tendai Biti's People’s Democratic Party and Zapu led by former Zipra supremo Dumiso Dabengwa say they still need to consult their members before joining the coalition.” (Voice of America Zimbabwe (31 May 2016) 5 Zimbabwe Opposition Parties Form Coalition Ahead of 2018 Elections)

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This report also states:

“Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who now leads the People’s Democratic Party and attended the signing ceremony, said his political formation would join the coalition once he gets the nod from his party’s executive committee.” (ibid)

An article from Africa Confidential states:

“Now opposition parties are taking a common position on a transitional government to reform and stabilise the country ahead of the 2018 elections. Leading the charge is Tendai Biti, former Finance Minister and now leader of the People's Democratic Party, a breakaway from 's Movement for Democratic Change. Biti wants a coordinated programme to reform the macro-economy, constitution, security forces, justice system and to put a 'full stop' to the land and compensation issues, restoring the land market after an audit and giving a tradable title to smallholders and bigger farmers.” (Africa Confidential (22 July 2016) Dollar crisis puts opposition on the streets)

A report published by the Zimbabwe Peace Project states:

“On 11 December 2015, in ward 10, Nyamayaro Village in Murehwa North a meeting was held to share fertiliser and a man living with a disability was allegedly denied fertiliser by headman Tendai Nyamayaro and Fungai Machanzi councillor for Ward 10 because he was believed to be aligned to People's Democratic Party. The fertiliser was meant for people living with disabilities and the victim qualified under that criteria but did not benefit. Other beneficiaries at the meeting received the fertiliser after chanting Zanu-PF slogans.” (Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) (29 January 2016) Supporting the Opposition in Zimbabwe: A Costly Ordeal, p.24)

A Voice of America news report states:

“The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says its provincial secretary for security, Elliot Shelton, has been kidnapped by unknown people. PDP secretary general, Gorden Moyo, said Shelton was allegedly kidnapped by men, suspected to be state security agents, who were driving a truck without registration numbers in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged kidnapping has sent shock waves across the small mining town.” (Voice of America News Zimbabwe (17 February 2016) Unknown Assailants 'Kidnap' Zimbabwe Opposition Party Official)

See also Voice of America news report which states:

“Some youths belonging to a coalition of opposition parties, the National Election Reform Agenda (NERA), say they have gone into hiding ahead of a protest march by the group penciled for Tuesday in . The youths said they have been harassed and intimidated by unknown people, suspected to be state security agents since the beginning of last week. One of the youths was allegedly abducted on Friday and released the following day. Studio 7 could not talk to the alleged victim as her phone went unanswered. Signatories to NERA include leading opposition parties like the Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai, People’s Democratic Party

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and Zimbabwe People First, among others, which are pushing for electoral reforms before 2018 general elections.” (Voice of America News Zimbabwe (20 June 2016) Election Reform Activists in Hiding Ahead of Tuesday Protest)

A September 2016 Voice of America news report states:

“Scores of people, including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) Members of Parliament, were arrested Saturday when hundreds of people staged peaceful protests in various parts of Zimbabwe demanding sweeping electoral reforms before the 2018 general elections. Several parties – the MDC-T, Zimbabwe People First led by former Vice President , Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party, Transform Zimbabwe, MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube and several others – staged the peaceful protests under a coalition known as then National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA).” (Voice of America News Zimbabwe (18 September 2016) Zimbabwe Police Beat Up, Arrest Scores of Protesters)

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research and Information Unit within time constraints. This response is not and does not purport to be conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please read in full all documents referred to.

References:

Africa Confidential (22 July 2016) Dollar crisis puts opposition on the streets http://www.africa- confidential.com/article/id/11717/Dollar_crisis_puts_opposition_on_the_street s (Accessed 19 October 2016) This is a subscription source

Africa Confidential (29 April 2016) Despite mobilising thousands against the government, the opposition is failing to exploit the ruling party's weakness and division http://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/11646/Morgan_goes_it_alone (Accessed 19 October 2016) This is a subscription source

International Crisis Group (29 February 2016) Zimbabwe: Stranded in Stasis https://www.crisisgroup.org/file/78/download?token=PhTLvAGM (Accessed 19 October 2016)

Voice of America News Zimbabwe (18 September 2016) Zimbabwe Police Beat Up, Arrest Scores of Protesters http://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-arreststs-protests/3513986.html (Accessed 19 October 2016)

Voice of America News Zimbabwe (20 June 2016) Election Reform Activists in Hiding Ahead of Tuesday Protest http://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-youths-in-hiding/3384289.html

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(Accessed 19 October 2016)

Voice of America Zimbabwe (31 May 2016) 5 Zimbabwe Opposition Parties Form Coalition Ahead of 2018 Elections http://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-opposition-parties- coalition/3355181.html (Accessed 19 October 2016)

Voice of America News Zimbabwe (17 February 2016) Unknown Assailants 'Kidnap' Zimbabwe Opposition Party Official http://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/peoples-democratic-party-official-allegedly- abducted/3195111.html (Accessed 19 October 2016)

Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) (29 January 2016) Supporting the Opposition in Zimbabwe: A Costly Ordeal http://www.zimpeaceproject.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/01/ZPP_MMR_Dec2015_FINAL-1.pdf (Accessed 19 October 2016)

Sources Consulted:

BBC Monitoring Electronic Immigration Network European Country of Origin Information Google Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada International Crisis Group Lexis Nexis Refugee Documentation Centre Query Database UNHCR Refworld Voice of America

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