Zim needs responsive institutions ahead of elections

PEACE clubs established by communities working with Heal Zimbabwe in Mazowe and Muzarabani have highlighted the need for responsive institutions ahead of the 2023 elections. This came out during monthly planning meetings by peace clubs that operate in Mazowe and Muzarabani on June 19 2021.

Peace club members highlighted that previous elections were characterised by violence. Institutions such as the police were less responsive to cases of politically-motivated violence.

In most cases, police would arrest victims who would have made reports.

Participants also highlighted that they are witnessing a surge in human rights violations ahead of the 2023 elections.

The ruling Zanu PF party has embarked on a voter mobilisation drive and in Mazowe, village heads, school development committees have been directed to recruit on behalf of Zanu PF.

Young people, who are in Form Four and Six, are being forced to apply for identity documents and forcibly made to submit their identity numbers and proof of residence to Zanu PF officials.

Efforts to put an end to this practice proved futile since the police have not acted on reports made by community members.

Participants further highlighted that these early warning signs are an indicator of what is in store for villagers in 2023.

In addition, participants also called for the decentralisation of commissions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission so that villagers can access help in time.

As part of resolutions, the peace clubs resolved to continue documenting and reporting cases of human rights violations to the responsible institutions and also continue mediating conflicts in a bid to build social cohesion in local communities.

The meetings are part of efforts by Heal Zimbabwe to empower local communities to help safeguard against human rights abuse and build peaceful communities.

Heal Zimbabwe utilises various strategies to address conflicts in local communities.

One of these ways is the use of community dialogue, an initiative for communities to discuss and collectively identify ways through which they can proffer solutions to problems in their communities.

The platforms also equip communities with information on COVID-19, gender-based violence and human rights.

Such platforms facilitate local level conversations on pertinent issues affecting communities as well as create socially-cohesive communities.

Heal Zimbabwe