The month ended with two important developments, the proclamation by President Emmerson Mnangagwa of 23 August as the date the country will conduct its harmonised elections and the passing of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) (Amendment) Bill otherwise being referred to as the Patriotic Bill by the National Assembly.

The election date has been proclaimed. We expect political parties and candidates to invigorate their election campaigns. As history has been having it, we are likely to see an escalation in violent cases. I urge you to be vigilant during this period. Whilst we continue to call for peace before, during and after elections, we remain sceptical that the coming three months could be tough. Please be safe. We hope that the recent timely launch of a report – A Short History of Organised Violence and Torture in Zimbabwe (1972 2020) – compiled by the Research and Advocacy Unit in conjunction with the Forum, Heal Zimbabwe Trust, Counselling and Services Unit, and Veritas will invoke the dark memories of violence and remind the stakeholders on the need to uphold peace.

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