By Viola Mzungwana
HARARE Ruling party ZANU PF and its affiliate Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) have been implicated in the majority of political violence cases documented ahead of next week’s harmonised elections, with a human rights monitoring group reporting that the party accounts for 108 of 146 recorded incidents.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Monitors Platform released a pre-election report yesterday titled “Political Violence and Compromised Institutions,” expressing concern over voter apathy driven by rampant intimidation and political violence. The report also linked FAZ to the Central Intelligence Organisation.
“What is particularly disconcerting is not only the prevalence of such acts, but also their systematic nature, often orchestrated by the ruling party and predominantly occurring in rural areas,” the report read.
“These incidents of political violence have not gone unnoticed, with Zimbabwean human rights monitors meticulously documenting 146 cases that have resulted in severe injuries. The majority of the cases point to ZANU PF as the perpetrators, who account for 108 (74%) cases and these violations mostly occur in rural areas.”
The report documented 33 cases (91.1%) of physical violence and 13 cases (8.9%) related to verbal assaults or intimidation.
The violence has escalated as campaigning intensifies, with police reporting multiple cases of political violence and arson. A Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter was stoned to death by suspected ZANU PF supporters at a rally in Glen View, Harare, a fortnight ago.
ZANU PF political commissar Mike Bimha yesterday condemned all forms of violence and denied party involvement in the reported incidents.
“The President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) is on record, speaking at every gathering about upholding peace,” Bimha said.
“As ZANU PF, we do not condone or promote violence (by) whoever, be they party supporters, members or even members of the politburo. If we get reports about our members engaging in violence, we take action against them. But so far, we have not yet received any complaint against our members.”
Efforts to reach CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere for comment were unsuccessful.
The human rights monitors urged the government to take concrete steps to address the violence.
“The government should take concrete steps to end political violence and intimidation, including investigating and prosecuting perpetrators, providing protection to victims, and creating a climate of tolerance and respect for political differences,” they said.
“The government should ensure that independent institutions, such as the police, the Judiciary and the media are free from political interference and are able to carry out their functions without fear or favour.”
In a separate development, 40 CCC activists were arrested yesterday at Machipisa in Highfield, Harare, for contravening provisions of the Maintenance of Order and Public Act.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said CCC convenor Lawrence Materege sought clearance for a rally at Churu Farm but instead organised a car rally procession from Glen View into High Glen Road, turning into Main Road and Machipisa Road before stopping at OK Machipisa traffic lights, blocking traffic.
Law enforcement agents impounded three trucks and radio speakers used by the CCC activists, Nyathi confirmed.
