violent one characterised by intimidation, harassment and in some instances physical
violence. In Harare, three people suffered broken limbs after pro-Kasukuwere and
anti-Kasukuwere supporters clashed. A ZPP team member who was taking pictures
of the marches was taken into a police van and ordered to delete pictures before
being released.
Supporters on either side have tried to prevent the other from marching and in some
cases arrests have been made. President Robert Mugabe is on record prohibiting
party members from demonstrating and issuing a directive through Mashonaland
Central Provincial Affairs Minister Martin Dinha to stop all demonstrations. Neither
President Mugabe nor Provincial Affairs Minister Dinha has constitutional powers to
prevent demonstrations or to authorise them.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s remarks that his ruling party was
‘fumigating’ itself have also been criticised by political observers as inflammatory
especially with some of the political conflicts becoming violent. The use of such
inflammatory language has the potential to trigger and fuel violence. Vice President
Phelekezela Mphoko invited the military to deal with critics of President Mugabe
within the ruling party despite the constitution being clear that the military may not
be deployed for such purposes.
The Chronicle reported that Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made was commended by
the ruling party for securing rice at Grain Marketing Board (GMB) which was
distributed to Zanu PF supporters in the run up to the Mwenezi East by-election
despite denials in the past by government that the distribution of food and other aid
is being politicised. Cases of food violations have been noted to have gone down in
the month of April. This may be because April is the month when most people
harvest and it seems in some areas people are recording bumper harvests.
In incidents of intra-party violence reported in the MDC-T in Chinhoyi and Chegutu,
party Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora said the party had not received such
reports but if there was any truth in the reports, his party does not condone violence
and would investigate the cases.
President Mugabe urged citizens to respect other citizens’ right to freedom of
association although people particularly opposition party supporters continued to be
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