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MDC pleads for SADC's intervention
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
November 16, 2011

Reports have revealed that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has written a letter to Jacob Zuma and other SADC leaders (who are guarantors of the coalition government); seeking the regional body (SADC)'s intervention. This reportedly came as former trade unionist leader's desperate measure to stabilise the political environment following an increase in violence in the last few weeks. Clues are that the letter claimed that their (SADC Leaders) assistance was urgently needed citing that the Zimbabwean security situation was deteriorating at an alarming and scaring rate. In addition, the cycle of political violence has not been broken since the formation of the coalition government more than two years ago and that state sponsored violence has increasingly become order f the day, hence the need for urgent intervention.

Responding to the reports on violence, the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration has drafted a code of conduct that complements the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) in monitoring violence. The success of the code is underpinned on the commitment of the party leaders to disseminate tolerance and peace messages to their supporters. It is said that 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.

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.

In contrary to the calls for peace, the ZANU PF national chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo is said to have disregarded the calls for peace just 24 hours after the political parties "Non-violent Indaba" in his address at a ZANU PF Midlands province conference on Saturday. He encouraged his party supporters to retaliate when attacked.

In other reports, war veterans in Magunje have allegedly assumed the roles of recommending and vetting new recruits for the army. This comes amid revelations that the army is due to recruit junior officers at Magunje's 2:3 Infantry Battalion this week. The move is seen as a ZANU PF strategy to smuggle in militant machinery in the army on the pretext of promoting "patriotic" Zimbabwe.

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