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Battling for survival as Zanu PF resuscitates agents of violence
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
January 28, 2011
"Democracy
is never mob rule. It is and should remain disciplined rule requiring
compliance with the law and social rules. Our independence must
thus not be construed as an instrument vesting individuals or groups
with the rights to harass and intimidate others into acting against
their will." - President Robert Mugabe, April 17, 1980
It is almost
31 years since the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and current President
delivered an address to the nation and encouraged unity and co-existence
among Zimbabweans. Yet contrary to the statement said by President
Mugabe in 1980, ZANU PF, which lost most of its support base over
the past years, has largely relied on violence and intimidation
to stay afloat. With possibilities of a referendum and general elections
later this year, it seems ZANU PF has launched its bloody electoral
campaign. In the past two weeks, violence rocked the city of Harare.
In Budiriro on Saturday the 22nd of January, ZANU PF militia with
the aid of uniformed soldiers allegedly attacked MDC supporters
convening a party meeting, shooting district youth treasurer for
Budiriro, William Mukwari. He is currently receiving treatment at
a local hospital. As if this is not enough, ZANU PF has embarked
on a door to door terror campaign on MDC supporters in the same
are a accusing them of jubilating upon President Mugabe's
reported ill-health. Cases of violence and running battles were
also reported in Mbare.
More reports
of violence have been reported in some rural parts of the country
such as Mudzi North where villagers are living in fear of continued
threats and visits at their homesteads by Zanu PF youths and war
veterans working under the command of Zanu PF Member of Parliament
Divas Chiutsa. Close to 22 people, attacked for wearing MDC regalia,
have been left homeless after their homes were destroyed by Zanu
PF militia. Of more concern is the fact that members of police force
continue to allow themselves to be used by Zanu PF to abuse people's
freedoms as shown by their inaction in apprehending perpetrators
of violence. Victims of violence remain defenseless as the police
remain partisan. Zanu PF clearly has the backing of the highest
office and it is apparent that the repeat of June
2008 in an augmented version is foreseeable. Democratic progress
in Zimbabwe could be reversed at any time as a result of the violence
ad intimidation organized the Zanu PF with the acquiescence of the
security apparatus.
These events,
which are in contravention of Article 10, 13 and 18 of the Global
Political Agreement (GPA) on free political activity, respect
of the rule of law and the need for impartiality among state organs
and institutions and security of persons and prevention of violence,
and unfolding as the African Union (AU) is meeting in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia for the AU Summit. At the summit, Zimbabwe was removed
from the early warning radar yet events of the past week are reflective
of how more still needs to be done in the country. Zanu PF, famed
for its undying thirst for power has seemingly fully resuscitated
its agents of violence among them youth militias, war veterans and
the military.
Political parties
signatory to the GPA should put in place measures to ensure that
the institutions of violence which they control do not perpetrate
any forms of violence against all person in Zimbabwe. The AU and
other regional bodies should also step in to demand the cessation
of all acts of violence. If the situation is left as it is, it could
degenerate into a worse political crisis than that witnessed in
June 2008.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
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