Violence surges ahead of Norton by-election

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), a human rights watchdog, has reported an increase in politically-motivated violence in Norton where a by-election will be held.

The Norton seat fell vacant recently when Zanu PF expelled Christopher Mutsvangwa, the outspoken leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA), was expelled for allegedly denigrating President Robert Mugabe and his wife.

The major contest in the poll that will be held on 22 October will be between Temba Mliswa, an independent candidate who was also fired from Zanu PF where he was the Mashonaland West provincial chair, and the ruling party’s Ronald Tinashe Chindedza.

“As the Norton by-election impends, Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) is gravely concerned by the increasing incidences of politically motivated violence in the constituency.

ZPP named Patrick Zhuwao, the minister responsible for youths and empowerment and Mugabe’s nephew, as one of the individuals behind the violence.

“Norton residents acknowledge existence of political violence and rising tensions owing to the call by Minister of Youth,  Patrick Zhuwao for National Youth Service trained youths to meet in relation to the Norton by-election,” noted ZPP.

It added that cases of violence involved supporters of both Mliswa and Chindedza.

A female teenanger, Natasha Nyikadzino, was reportedly abducted  from her home and later released by Zanu PF supporters who were looking for but could not find her mother, Ronika, who is on Mliswa’s campaign team.

“In another incident, a Zanu PF youth, Tafadzwa Chimbuzi, was violently attacked and sustained a deep cut on his tongue. Chimbuzi was admitted at Katanga clinic.

“These incidents and the tension in the constituency all point to the need for multi-party liaison committees becoming a part of people’s lives and not only being put in place towards an election. Long-standing committees become conflict resolution mechanisms,” said ZPP.

One church elder who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation said only two groups seem to be clashing.

“The groups that are fighting know each other because they were once supporters of the same party. We do not condone their behaviour but we are saying involving the Border Gezi youths may not be the solution,” he asserted.

“ZPP therefore implores all contesting parties to respect the rights of citizens who have just over a week to exercise their constitutional right.

“(We) call on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to intervene accordingly in order to curb politically motivated violence in Norton ahead of the by-election,” said the watchdog. Nehanda Radio