The chaotic election season is upon us
January is often a complex month.
It is a time of reflection and planning. Last year was a tumultuous year and the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) recorded over 2 468 human rights violations and the entry into 2022 marked the beginning of heightened electoral activity.
It was the month when President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed March 26 as the date for by-elections in constituencies and wards where elected representatives were recalled, or died.
This proclamation sent many political players into a frenzy as they sought to position themselves to participate.
This is the same month when Zanu PF prepared for and conducted its primary elections to select candidates that would contest on behalf of the party on March 26.
In the same month, Douglas Mwonzora, who had all along claimed to lead the MDC-T, announced that he was now leader of the MDC Alliance, ironically after he had led a recall of councillors and legislators for belonging to the Nelson Chamisaled MDC Alliance.
This turmoil in the opposition added to political tensions in the country and on January 24, two days before the nomination court sat to register candidates for the March 26 by-elections, Chamisa announced he and his supporters were forming a new outfit, called the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), and were dumping the name MDC Alliance.
The political bombshells did not stop there as Thokozani Khupe, vice-president to Mwonzora’s MDC-T, announced a split of the party, and her taking over leadership of the other faction.
In the same breath, though confusing many who watched the political game of takeovers, Khupe’s lawyers had written to Mwonzora after she had been suspended arguing, Mwonzora had expelled himself from the MDC-T when he claimed leadership of the MDC Alliance.
The name-calling and counter expulsion continued between Khupe and Mwonzora and the matter has now spilled into the courts where Khupe is claiming a share of the political parties funding that was directed and received by Mwonzora.
Meanwhile, the political environment remained edgy across the country, and the introduction of CCC, which adopted the colour yellow for its branding, saw scores of citizens and activists being harassed and arrested for associating with the party.
Police on January 28, arrested and assaulted five CCC supporters, Emmanuel Gumbo, Erasmus Nyandoro, Prince Mutebuka and Tatenda Chigwada for wearing yellow CCC regalia.
The five were later accused of blocking a pavement and disturbing the flow of human traffic in central Harare and were released after paying $2 000 (about US$10) fines each.
There were scores of people being harassed and intimidated for wearing yellow in many parts of the country, raising concerns about the low levels of political tolerance in the country.
Interestingly, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reclaimed the top position on the list of human rights violators in January and contributed to nearly 55% of all violations.
While it is not an achievement, Zanu PF, which had topped the list between September and December, went to second position at just over 27% compared to last month’s 47%.
This remains a cause for grave concern considering that the ZRP is supposed to ensure the security of persons and and property.
Municipal police contributed to 10% of violations and machete gangs 2%.
The machete artisanal mining gangs caused this month’s fatality when a clash between rival gangs over mining rights at Mavedzenge Mine Block 8 in Muzvezve turned violent.
The gangs, who are often armed with machetes and axes and are all over across the country, often have political protection as they are usually emissaries of known top politicians who use these gangs to mine precious minerals.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project has continued to call for the regularisation of mining operations and for an end to the politicisation of mining claims.
We believe that, based on history, machete gangs, if left unregulated, will be an arsenal for political violence ahead and during the campaign period for the 2023 election.
We believe that, based on history, machete gangs, if left unregulated, will be an arsenal for political violence ahead during the campaign period for the 2023 election.
Overall, January 2022 acted as a springboard for heightened political activity that is likely to be witnessed ahead of the March 26 by-election and the 2023 harmonised elections.
In other words, election season is upon us and as usual, ZPP calls for tolerance, restraint, transparency and peaceful contestation.