Political Intolerance: An Enemy of Progress/ End Intolerance, Build Peace
21 September, 2022----The International Day of Peace is observed each year on 21 September.
Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations Resolution 1367, the Peace Day provides a
globally shared platform for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to
contribute to building a Culture of Peace. Zimbabwe has more than 16 ethnic groups, many
political parties and religions and it is important to ensure citizens are aware and practice the
culture of tolerance, respect and inclusivity for the achievement of sustainable peace. ZPP
continues to make efforts to develop long-lasting and transformative peace initiatives in the
communities it works in. ZPP uses the human rights approach to advance sustainable peace in
the country. In line with the international theme this year ‘End racism, build peace’, ZPP has
adopted ‘End Intolerance, build Peace’ as a response to the many breaches of peace that are
increasing as a result of intolerance among political actors. This year, regrettably, the day is being
commemorated under a dark cloud that could threaten the freeness and fairness of the elections
expected in 2023.
The toxicity of politics in Zimbabwe remains alarming and cause for concern for the Zimbabwe
Peace Project. ZPP notes with concern how Zanu PF has launched systematic threats and
intimidation targeting opposition supporters in rural and urban areas. The trend has continually
been witnessed in the run up to elections and other special events since independence. The ruling
party has adopted concerted actions where opposition political players especially in the Citizens’
Coalition for Change (CCC), are threatened and in some cases physically abused. Opposition
activists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) workers have become victims of selective
application of the law, constantly subjected to arrests and extended pretrial detentions.
Disturbingly, journalists have also been subjected to the criminalisation of their work; they have
not been spared of arrests and physical attacks by political parties especially the ruling and
opposition CCC.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has been biased and has continued to be selective in the
enforcement of the law in favour of Zanu PF as seen through arbitrary and unlawful detentions.
The ZRP continues to be an enforcer for the ruling party, ready to arrest those who do not advance
Zanu PF ideologies and prepared to look away when the ruling party is on the wrong side.
ZPP has recorded at least 20 cases of politicisation of Pfumvudza inputs such as maize seed and
fertilizers in 2022.1 This entails the deliberate and systematic process of side-lining perceived or
1
Pfumvudza is a crop production intensification approach which was introduced by the government in the 2020-21
farming season to ensure the efficient use of inputs and labour on a small area of land. Under the programme
government funds maize and fertiliser inputs to farmers