Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
NOVEMBER 2022
4.5 Hate Speech
On 9 November, addressing Zanu-PF supporters, the Minister of National
Housing and Social Amenities and Zanu PF Chairperson for Mashonaland
East Province, Daniel Garwe, boasted that Zanu PF controls the courts, the
army and the police. He warned the opposition that Zanu PF would not
hesitate to use violence if they were intimidated or confronted. Hate
speech incites political party supporters to use violence and worsens
political polarisation and intolerance in the country, making the
environment ahead of the 2023 elections potentially violent.
ZPP recommends the adoption of the following interventions to reduce the
prevalence of hate speech, especially as we head towards the 2023
elections:
4.5.1 The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to enforce the Code of Conduct
for Political Parties and Candidates to promote conditions that are
conducive to free and fair elections and a climate of tolerance in which
election campaigns may take place without fear or coercion, intimidation
or reprisals.
4.5.2
Political parties to sanction supporters fanning intolerant and
perpetrating political violence.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report
9