By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has raised concern over violence hat occurred in the by-elections ahead of 2023 harmonised elections,.
ZESN observed Local Authority by-elections on 22 October, 2022 in Buhera Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 24, Guruve RDC Ward 4, Insiza RDC Ward 4, Matobo RDC Ward 2, Mutare Municipality Ward 18 and Takawira RDC Ward 6.
In its preliminary statement, ZESN noted the by elections in which the ruling party retained 5 out of 6 local authority seats were held against a background of violence which marred the electoral process in Ward 2 of Matobo RDC, Ward 4 of Insiza and Takawira Ward 6, bringing into question the credibility of the elections in the affected areas.
“The three Wards were heavily manned by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) security details as part of efforts to maintain law and order given the toxic political tensions that were rife during the campaign period.
“A few instances of electoral malpractices were observed at Takawira where ZANU-PF is reported to have mounted a campaign desk within the vicinity of the polling station,” the Network said.
“The pre-election period was dominated by political and electoral violence in Matobo, Insiza and Takawira.
“Conflicts escalated in Matobo on Sunday 16 October 2022, where suspected ZANU-PF activists attacked Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) members who were conducting campaigns for their candidate ahead of the October 22 By-elections leaving scores of people injured, some hospitalized, including a member of Parliament and property destroyed.”
ZESN also said there were reports of victimization, intimidation and hate-speeches during rallies and political meetings.
“ZESN reiterates its calls for political parties to foster peace and tolerance of divergent views in line with the dictates of Section 67 (2) of the Constitution which provides for fundamental rights including the right.
“More so, political and electoral-related violence undermines civil and political rights and affects citizens’ right to compete in electoral processes without fear.
“Polling day political environment The political environment was reported to be calm and peaceful in Ward 18 Mutare Municipality, Guruve Ward 4 and Buhera Ward 24.
“A few disturbances were observed and reported by the observers in Matobo Ward 2 as well in Ward 6 Takawira RDC,” the network said.
However, ZESN strongly condemned the political tensions and violence that flared up in Ward 2 of Matobo, Insiza Ward 4 and Takawira Ward 6.
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