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Electoral fears as leaders denounce violence
Institute for Security Studies
November 16, 2011

http://allafrica.com/stories/201111151359.html

Political stability in Zimbabwe has, for sometime now, been on a knife-edge following incessant clashes between members of the country's main political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) and the Morgan Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T).

About a week ago, at least 22 people were injured and property destroyed in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, about 30 km south of Harare, after youths allegedly linked to Zanu-PF attacked an MDC-T political rally meant to be addressed by Tsvangirai. The incident came as regional mediators concluded their visit to Harare aimed at easing tensions in Zimbabwe's two-year coalition.

The MDC-T has since accused the police of being partisan and failing to protect their rallies even where the party has had legitimate permits for the rallies. Other political parties and civil society groups have, too, accused the inclusive government, particularly the ZANU PF side of failing to dismantle the infrastructure of violence and the police of failing to reign in on violence allegedly perpetrated by Chipangano, a youth militia group linked to Zanu-PF.

The wave of violent skirmishes has raised tension in various parts of the country including in the capital, Harare, where it is seen a central electoral tool of ZANU-PF in the run up to the country's next elections expected sometime next year.

These recent developments have signalled a disconnect between President Mugabe's public pronouncements and political realities on the ground. In August during the burial of former military officer, Solomon Mujuru, President Mugabe exhorted Zimbabweans to pursue peace and a month later, told Parliament, to loud cheers from both sides of the political divide that there would be "zero tolerance" of political violence. Some have argued Mugabe might have lost control and that the state security agents might; thus, be usurping the civilian authority.

In an attempt to bring political stability to the country, representatives to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC), a multi-party panel set up to monitor the implementation of the Global Political Agreement
(GPA) met and resolved to set up its own investigation into the clashes. Although some people have welcomed the possibility of a probe in the recent skirmishes, others have dismissed it as strategy to save face and to merely calm down raging emotions.

Indeed, as has been the case in other instances where similar investigations over politically motivated violence have been made, the perpetrators are rarely prosecuted.

Following the meeting by JOMIC representatives early last week, on Friday 11th November, the leaders of the three main political parties in the inclusive Government, Mugabe of Zanu-PF, Tsvangirai of MDC-T and Professor Welshman Ncube of MDC met and subsequently condemned the increasing violence while urging their supporters to co-exist peacefully.

While the three principals also agreed on a code of conduct for parties against political violence, they did not spell out clear strategies and mechanisms for tackling violence. This has led some to question whether the government is willing to transform the country's security sector, which is key to reforms in Zimbabwe and to stopping violence.

Meanwhile, there are reports that the three leaders have agreed to announce the election date after the report of the constitution-making process has been approved. This may mean that elections could be held earlier than anticipated, although the prevailing political climate is certainly worrisome to have peaceful, free and fair elections.

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