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Code of conduct not enough without reform
Alex Bell, SW Radio Africa
November 16, 2011

http://www.swradioafrica.com/2011/11/16/code-of-conduct-%E2%80%98not-enough-without-reform%E2%80%99/

A Code of Conduct, drafted as part of efforts to end politically motivated violence, has been handed to the principals in Zimbabwe's shaky coalition government. But according to a leading human rights group, the Code will not be enough without key, practical reforms.

The Code has been drafted by the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, amid worsening violence against members of the MDC-T. The violence, perpetrated almost entirely by ZANU PF members, last week resulted in a 'violence indaba', where Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube all 'agreed' to end violence.

The Code of Conduct presented at the indaba, calls on the leaders of the country's political parties to lead the way in ending violence, and ensuring that the upcoming elections are free from bloodshed. Under the code, inter-party committees will be set up at national, provincial and district levels to deal with political violence, while national peace and reconciliation council will be established to resolve political disputes.

"The leader of a party that has subscribed to this code will instruct the party's officials, candidates, members and supporters that no weapon of any kind, including any traditional weapon, may be brought to any political rally, meeting, march or other demonstration," the code says.

"A party that has subscribed to this code will not engage in or permit any kind of violent activity to demonstrate party strength or to prove supremacy," it adds.

According to the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, the Code is a "breakthrough". But the group's regional coordinator Dewa Mavhinga stressed that on its own "it is not enough."

"It must be viewed holistically, in that it is part of a series of critical reforms required to achieve real transformation to a democratic and violence free state," Mavhinga said.

He added: "It is a symbolic gesture. It is more ceremonial, not practical." Mavhinga also agreed that more attention needs to be focused on ensuring that the perpetrators of violence are brought to book, to ensure that the cycle of impunity in Zimbabwe comes to an end. He also explained that there are concerns that the Code could be an attempt to "hoodwink" people, with ZANU PF pushing for an election as soon as possible.

"The political leadership is insisting on an early election and they would want to how there is some movement in ending violence without the practical steps. The fear is that the code might be a smokescreen behind which violence will still take place," Mavhinga said.

He added: "But we want to give the Organ and the government the benefit of the doubt and we will have to wait and see what happens."

SW Radio Africa is Zimbabwe's Independent Voice and broadcasts on Short Wave 4880 KHz in the 60m band.

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