By Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has reported a surge in politically motivated violence and intimidation cases, with 15 instances of threats and 7 cases of violence recorded in the month of January alone.
According to ZPP, the victims, predominantly members of opposition parties, have experienced a growing wave of aggression, jeopardizing their political rights and fundamental freedoms.
ZPP further noted that among the documented incidents, Nyanga North witnessed inter-party violence involving two ZANU PF youths who engaged in a physical altercation with members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) following a dispute over the 2023 election results.
The clash resulted in injuries to a CCC member, who sustained mouth injuries during the confrontation.
In Harare, members of the Douglas Mwonzora led Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC Alliance) were reportedly assaulted by suspected CCC members at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House in the Central Business District (CBD). The attacks underscore the increasing volatility surrounding political affiliations and rivalries in the country.
The majority of the victims facing threats or unspecified harm are affiliated with opposition parties, particularly the CCC.
Alarmingly, cases of intimidation and harassment have seen a significant uptick, rising from 10 in December 2023 to 15 in January 2024. Analysts attribute this surge to the departure of opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa, which has seemingly intensified internal strife within the political landscape.
In Glenorah, Harare, ZANU PF youths, led by a political commissar identified as Mr. Kodza, initiated a community outreach program labeled “operation show us your national identity card.” This initiative, seemingly benign on the surface, has reportedly left community members living in fear due to the implied threats associated with the exercise.
Further exacerbating the situation, Zvimba North has reported a case where a female victim, previously deployed as a CCC polling election agent during the August 23, 2023 harmonized elections, is now living in constant fear following threats to eliminate her. The intimidation tactics were allegedly employed by ZANU PF activist Martin Kativhu.
