Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
Violence
Zanu PF held chaotic primary elections marred by violence and vote rigging in some areas. The issue was confirmed
by Zanu PF as some primary elections are set to be rerun although it seems some re runs are meant to give
stalwarts who had fallen by the wayside a new lease of life. Some voters complained about missing names on the
voters’ roll (they used cell registers as voters’ roll) In some places voters complained that voting materials were not
delivered on time. Zanu PF Political Commissar Dr Mike Bimha stated that the party had put in place necessary
instruments to ensure that the primary elections were held peacefully and in an orderly manner, but this was not the
case. The Zanu PF primary elections were marred by human rights abuses stemming from factions and perceived
rigging within the party. On 25 March Zanu PF activist Emanuel Juta was arrested for pointing a pistol at some
youths at Muzerere polling station following clashes during the primary elections. On 26 March there was chaos in
Bindura North ward 3 at Zuvarashe Primary school during the primary elections. Around 12 midday, a man identified
as Ngadya, affiliated to Zanu PF Councillor Wendile Machisi accused 2 youths in the queue of voting twice. Tafi,
affiliated to rival candidate Mr Midzi got emotional and attempted to assault Ngadya using a wooden plank but was
calmed by a relative. Chaotic scenes followed when police officers closed the polling station signalling an end to the
voting process. The action angered some women’s league representatives who complained citing that people were
still coming to vote. Jushua Khumalo, a ruling party activist, reportedly tried to intervene, forcing a police detail to
open the gate, but was confronted by several officers who refused to adhere to his commands. Many people
surrounded the officers at the premises resulting in chaos. There was a violent incident in Chegutu where Zanu PF
factions battled it out before the primary elections.
MARCH 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
18