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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Inclusive government - Index of articles
Spotlight on inclusive government: It's not working - Index of articles
Politicization
of traditional leaders and political violence in Mutasa
Center
for Research and Development (CRD)
March
24, 2009
The CRD is deeply
saddened by attempts by Mutasa District Administrator's office to
force traditional leaders to usurp the powers of democratically
elected councilors. In Mutasa District the DA's office is going
around holding meetings with traditional leaders where they instruct
them not to cooperate with MDC councilors. Assistant DA Kutamahufa
and one Mr Mukome are addressing the traditional leaders. A single
meeting is attended by around 40 traditional leaders. They are instructing
them to bypass councilors and bring forth any community problems
to the DA's office as if they are the elected representatives of
the people. In Mutasa North, South and Central constituencies the
MDC has 31 out 34 councilors. Consequently some traditional leaders
are now promoting violence in Mutasa. Headman Muchena and Village
Head Razemba are reportedly encouraging a ZANU PF gang led by one
Mr Mwashita to terrorize MDC supporters.During the first week of
March Mrs nyangani, wife of the MDC organising Secretary for ward
26, Mutasa South, was publicly flogged at a village meeting called
by Village Head Razemba. Headman Muchena defended Razemba saying
Mrs Nyangani was beaten by 'povo' (masses) and the village head
was overwhelmed by the crowd.
The CRD is of
the opinion that this is contrary to the letter and spirit of the
Inclusive Government. The Global
Political Agreement which formed the framework for the formation
of the inclusive government makes the de-politicization of traditional
leaders one of the cardinal elements and urgent priority for the
new government. It is therefore disturbing to note that political
violence is rearing its ugly head again, barely a year after yet
another terrible outbreak of political violence that left hundreds
of people dead and thousands injured whilst tens of thousands were
displaced.
The CRD calls upon the
Co-ministers of Home Affairs, Legislators and the respective political
parties to do everything within their power to ensure that Zimbabweans
are allowed to live at peace with each other. As such perpetrators
of political violence must be brought to book irrespective of their
political affiliation.
Since 2006 the CRD has
been conducting workshops with traditional leaders, training them
to respect and promote human rights, democracy and good governance
in Manicaland. The CRD continues to work with traditional leaders
in its endeavor to transform rural Zimbabwe into peaceful community.
Visit the Center
for Research and Development (CRD) fact
sheet
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