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Violence and elections
Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET)
August 27, 2003

The parliamentary by elections in Harare Central and Makonde and the urban council elections are on this weekend. There is growing concern at the intensification of cases of violence and intimidation as the election draws closer. The Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) has confirmed in press reports, receiving from the opposition MDC complaints of intimidation, violence and ghost voters.

The Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET) whose core business is the education for peace, rights, justice and development is saddened by the intimidation and violence rife in the Midlands and Makonde according to press reports. Simply this means that chances of having free and fair elections in the affected areas are slim. Most people in society yearn for the time when Zimbabwe will have free and fair elections. Previous elections have shown that the electorate prefers to be persuaded rather be assaulted to vote for someone.

ZIMCET is equally worried at the cash situation currently prevailing especially now that schools will be opening soon. Travellers' cheques and other monetary regulations have been put in place, but still the solution to the problem still seems miles away. There seems to be a certain lack of urgency in dealing with this matter. It is pathetic to see people standing in the winding queues that are not getting any shorter since the problem started a few months ago. It is a vicious circle people queue today and if they are lucky will get just enough to buy two loaves of bread and will surely be back in the same queue at the crack of dawn the next day.

Even banks are taking advantage of the situation to milk the already impoverished Zimbabwean. Some are offering bank cheques at exorbitant prices out of the reach of the majority. Taking a closer look at the situation, why should the account holder be punished for the shortage of cash when there are funds in their account?

ZIMCET is concerned at the large number of citizens who are not at peace nowadays, as a result of the shortage of cash and at times compounded by the presence of riot police, who often use tear gas to "control" those in the queues.

David Chimhini
Executive Director

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