By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau |
As preparations for the 2018 general elections gather momentum, the majority of people who are victims of political violence fall outside any of the political parties, according to a Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) report.
The ZPP latest report covering August 2015 indicates that close to 78 percent of the people who had been harassed, beaten up or suffered other forms of political violence had no known political affiliation.
According to the human rights watchdog, those with no known political links have suffered violence during demonstrations that have occurred across the country in recent months as citizens protested against President Robert Mugabe and his government.
“It should also be noted that (some) victims are not aligned to any political party but take to protests as Zimbabwean citizens claiming their right according to Section 59 of the Constitution,” noted ZPP.
Zanu PF victims of political violence and intolerance decreased to 2 percent in August, from 6.8 percent in July, a trend that could show that the ruling party is taking persecution to its opponents.
In August, 13.5 percent of victims of political persecution were Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) members while 6.4 percent belonged to the newly formed Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) party led by Joice Mujuru who was expelled from Zanu PF in 2015.
ZPP noted that members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), at 0.3 percent, also suffered political violence, apparently during citizen protests that have taken place in recent months.
Police were on several occasions involved in running battles with protesters after ruthlessly clamping down on their court-approved demonstrations for electoral reforms and against police brutality, corruption and bad governance.
“As political parties and the electorate brace for the 2018 general elections, political intolerance continues to take center stage. … At a time when factionalism is rife in Zanu PF, the leadership is thwarting opposition and promoting political intolerance,” said ZPP in its report.
The report spared none of the major political parties, accusing Zanu PF, MDC-T and ZimPF of showing political intolerance.
“The shocking levels of intolerance have gone beyond Zanu PF and opposition but between MDC-T and ZimPF as well… These are signs that 2018 elections preparations are in full gear,” said ZPP. Nehanda Radio
