I n d ic ato r s of Conce r n
Increasing Use of Ethnicity and Hate Speech, Incitement of Violence
T
HE history of Zimbabwe is littered with examples
of abuse of ethnicity for political objectives.
This predates independent Zimbabwe with
colonialists using the differences between tribes
and groups to advance their agendas. Historians
have observed that during the liberation struggle, formation of
nationalist movements and post-independence these tensions
and use of ethnicity have continued with grave consequences for
national and societal cohesion. The state institutions supposed to
safeguard the national ethos and values are equally constrained
by their ethnic affiliations.
Senior recruitment and appointments in government are
believed to be decided on the basis of ethnicity more than
competency. Dr. Ibbo Mandaza a former public service
commissioner bemoans “So, ethnic politics has been part
and parcel of the world-view post independent Zimbabwean
leadership. To some extent, it has helped to mould the State
itself, pervading as it does almost every sphere of the polity,
from the composition of the Cabinet itself, to that of various
arms and levels of the Party, government, defence forces, central
intelligence organisation, police, public service and parastatals.
Ethnic representation, as opposed to national integration,
has been the practice in a country in which colonial and
tribal nomenclature – e.g. “Mashonaland”, “Matebeleland”,
“Manicaland”, etc – have continued to litter and underpin
the political landscape”.1 As the political tensions escalate in
the country, political actors are resorting to their ethnic and
economic interests for safe havens. This is likely to escalate as
the uncertainty with succession battle within the ruling party,
Zanu PF continues to degenerate into open words of hatred,
sense of entitlement of one ethnic group of another. This sense
Ibbo Mandaza, “Introduction”, Tekere: A Lifetime of Struggle, Sapes Books, 2007:24,
see also Muzondidya and Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni, “‘Echoing Silences’: Ethnicity in
post-colonial Zimbabwe, 1980-2007,” African Journal on Conflict Resolution 7 (2007):
275 - 297,
1
of entitlement of one group over the other has excluded other
voices, and entrenched perceptions of a captured state and state
institutions by ethnic and securocrats elites.
The tensions between Shona and Ndebele2 have been continued
and evidencing themselves in the intra party fights and
increasing use of hate speech. In Zanu PF, the absence of a
respected senior Ndebele voice with the stature of Dr. Joshua
Nkomo or Dumiso Dabengwa in the leadership has exposed
the limitations of the Unity Accord. Vice President Phelekezela
Mphoko who by virtue of being Zanu PF second secretary has
faced resistance and ridicule from within including questioning
of his leadership seniority and credentials.3
The Shona “dominance”4 and narrative will remain contested as
more groups emerge to challenge that tribal hegemony such as
Vukani Mahlabezulu, Imbovane Yamahlabezulu, Mthwakazi
Action Group on Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing, Mthwakazi
People’s Congress (MPC) and the recent declaration of a
Ndebele kingdom.5 The extent of support of these groups is
not the issue, they do have a right to freely associate, assemble
and exist. The genuine failure to address historical grievances
continues to support their agenda and narratives. Gukurahundi,
and its effects are still fresh and a daily reality experienced
through poor service delivery, such as failure to access national
documents, absence of emotional closure, continued statesanctioned denial and subterfuge explanations.
Structural, institutional and marginalisation of Matebeleland
Within the Ndebele community there are also other small groupings such as Shangani,
Kalanga, Tonga and Venda who are also contesting the Ndebele dominance
3
President Mugabe at rallies has consistently referred to Dabengwa and his decision to
move out as sore issue for his party
4
Stuart Doran; Kingdom, Power, Glory: Mugabe, Zanu and the Quest for Supremacy,
1960-1987,
5 NewsDay, New ‘Ndebele king’ trashes Unity Accord, https://www.newsday.
co.zw/2017/07/10/new-ndebele-king-trashes-unity-accord/ (last accessed 24 August
2017)
2