By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has warned of bloody elections following an increase in cases of politically motivated violence including intimidation as the country heads towards by-elections.
Addressing the media, the coalition said events obtaining on the ground point to a bloody election; and this is not only the impending March 26 by-elections but the 2023 national elections as well.
“It was regrettable to note that senior ZANU PF leaders including its Second Secretary, Retired General Constantino Chiwenga, continue to fan and fuel violence against opposition supporters.
“During rallies held in Marondera and Kwekwe recently, the ZANU PF vice president Chiwenga equated opposition supporters to lice that must be crashed, statements reminiscent of the Gukurahundi massacres in the early 1980s,” a statement reads.
“As a result of these and other such utterances, we witnessed during this past weekend alone, disturbing incidences where machete-wielding youth aligned to ZANU PF brewed an orgy of violence targeting Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists and other civilians attending a campaign rally in Kwekwe.
“Regrettably, many sustained injuries and some were hospitalized. Life was also lost as a result of this violence. May their soul rest in peace.”
One person — Mboneni Ncube — died while several others escaped with serious injuries when Zanu PF thugs unleased an orgy of violence in the middle of President Chamisa’s address at a star-rally in Kwekwe.
What is also disturbing, the statement said, was how the elections will be held in an environment that is far from yielding a credible election.
“The partisan and opaque conduct of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) continues to cast aspersions on the integrity of our electoral processes as a country.
“The independence of ZEC is critical for credible polls and we reiterate that ZEC’s incapacity to hold act impartially during these by-elections could be a pointer to yet another costly charade with pre-determined outcomes in 2023.
“We remain convinced that credible elections and respect for human rights are critical for Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the international community and ultimately, economic growth.”
The coalition noted that disputed elections have almost always resulted in a legitimacy crisis and ultimately, Zimbabwe continues to be alienated from the international community which has resulted in negative implications on the country’s economic growth.
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