FOREWORD BY THE CHAIRPERSON
Dr Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi

In line with the provisions of section 323 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) presents its Annual Report for the year 2019. This is the Commission’s 6th Annual Report since its establishment. The ZHRC experienced significant growth in its work, as it embarked on its first ever National Inquiry (NI) in terms of section 243 (1) (j) of the Constitution. The section empowers the Commission to conduct research into issues relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms and social justice. The National Inquiry took the Commission to all the ten provinces and every district of the country in a quest to appreciate and find solutions to the challenges faced by citizens in accessing identity documents. The NI was also an opportunity for the Commission to enhance its visibility and to strengthen its relationships with stakeholders and the general public.

The ZHRC continued to exercise its human rights protection mandate, by receiving and processing complaints. However, the Commission is disheartened by the recurrence of cases of violation of human rights which should have been a thing of the past, had the Commission’s recommendations been implemented. For example, human rights violations in cases of partisan distribution of food relief and other items given under the Presidential Agricultural Inputs Scheme continued to rear their ugly head.

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