In this month, we witnessed an increase in political activity both by the
opposition and ruling Zanu PF.
In most cases, Zanu PF got its way and the main opposition MDC Alliance,
whose operating space has been grossly constricted, also managed to gather its
supporters in some rural and urban areas and in some instances, the party had
to conduct activities at night.
It was a bloody weekend of 24-26 September 2021 in the Zanu PF party as party
supporters and those aspiring for positions engaged in bloody fights in Harare,
Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces.
This explains the 10 cases of intra party violence within Zanu PF recorded in
September.
In August 2021, ZPP recorded four cases of intra-party violence in Zanu PF and
the increase is likely to hold into October and up until the party concludes its
elective process.
In September, four political parties made their names known, one calling itself
Freedom of Rights Under Sovereign (FORUS), the other, Divine Alliance for
Vitalisation of Inspired Development (DAVID). Another party, the Citizens
Convergence for Change (CCC), appeared in a letter addressed to the electoral
commission in what was seen as an attempt to preempt the MDC Alliance’s
Citizens’ Convergence for Change campaign model.
Another party, Patriotic Zimbabweans Party (PZP), was also born.
In light of the increased political activity across the country, ZPP continues to
urge restraint and tolerance. This is because in the context of a democratic
society that Zimbabwe seeks to achieve, intolerance and violence can only take
the country backwards.
Political parties and individuals vying for public office have a duty to conduct
themselves in a peaceful manner and to respect the rights of citizens.
The rights that we continue to remind politicians of include the right to free
expression, freedoms of association and assembly.
Belonging to or sympathizing with a political party of one’s choice is not a
crime; it is a fundamental right!
We also call on the ruling party to end its abuse of state institutions such as the
police, and that the line between government and the ruling party remains clear.