Primarily of the Bantu group of south and central Africa, the black Zimbabweans are separated into two major language groups, which are subseparated into several ethnic groups. The Mashona , who constitute about 75% of the population, have lived in the area the longest and are the majority language group. The Matabele , representing about 20% of the population and centered in the southwest around Bulawayo, arrived in within the last 150 years. An offshoot of the South African Zulu group, they maintained control over the Mashona until the white occupation of Rhodesia in 1890.

In seeking national reconciliation, Prime Minister Mugabe's first cabinet comprised members of ZANU-PF, PF-ZAPU, and independent white members of parliament (MPs) and senators. The government embarked on an ambitious reconstruction and development program and instituted increases in minimum wages. Land redistribution proceeded under four experimental models on land that the government had purchased at market rates from willing sellers.

Local and international human rights monitors have famous a marked increase in human rights abuses since the February 2000 constitutional vote. Presidential elections in March 2002, in which Mugabe emerged victorious, were marred by disenfranchisement of urban voters, violent intimidation against opposition supporters, intimidation of the independent press and the judiciary, and other irregularities. The intimidation of opposition supporters, political dissenters, the press, and the judiciary continued post-election.