Mashonaland West
Power wrangles within the ruling party and
opposition camps recorded during April were an
insight of violent upcoming harmonised
elections. There were a number of cases in
which Zanu PF activists were at each other’s
throat . Some of the incidents recorded
emanated from the outcomes of the Zanu PF
March primary elections. On 29 April an intraparty violence case on the right to personal
security was reported at Tissue Ground ward 13
in Kadoma Central. It is alleged that Zanu PF
members were involved in a violent fist fight over
the choice of the candidate who would compete
in the harmonised elections. Reports indicate
that some members wanted to replace Lazarus
Mutami, an uncontested candidate during the
Zanu PF primaries with a gold buyer only
identified as Shingeti.
A FAZ member Eliot Hungwe wanted Shingeti
to take over from Mutami, however, this did not
go well with other members resulting in the
fight. Hungwe was assaulted resulting in him
fleeing from the meeting and declaring that
without the replacement of Mutami, Zanu PF
would not win (Bhora Musango). A few people
got injured during the skirmish.
Bulawayo
In the month of April there was political
intolerance in the province of Bulawayo. In ward
8 of Makhokhoba constituency, it was reported
that a Zanu PF activist identified as Julian
Nkomo went around the shops tearing
campaign posters for opposition members.
Verified facts suggest that Nkomo made
revelations that going forward into the
campaigns, some advertisement spaces will be
reserved for the ruling party only. Nkomo’s
actions violate the Electoral Act. Political
intolerance was also coupled with tribal
undertones. This was evidenced by a case that
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was recorded at the Zimbabwe International
Trade Fair grounds, where it was reported that
Knowledge Zulu of Mthwakazi Republic Party
insulted Bernard Chinhori who was wearing
Zanu PF regalia. It is alleged that Zulu insulted
Chinhori with unprintable words for supporting
Zanu PF.
THE ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | APRIL 2023