ZIMBABWE might be headed for another violent election this
year if the chaos and intra-party violence currently rocking both the governing
Zanu PF party and main opposition MDC-T’s primary elections is anything to go
by, human rights groups have warned.
Both parties are reportedly on the edge with candidates
slugging it out in violent internal polls amid allegations of massive rigging
and attempts by top officials to impose their preferred candidates in certain
constituencies.
Human Rights Watch Southern Africa director Dewa Mavhinga
said: “Both Zanu PF primaries and MDC-T processes to choose MPs have been
shambolic, chaotic and characterised by protests over lack on internal
democracy and adherence to clear rules. This does not augur well for the
upcoming national elections.”
Mavhinga and other human rights organisations spoke as
scores of disgruntled MDC-T supporters stormed the party headquarters in Harare
yesterday, claiming irregularities in the selection of candidates during the
consensus-building exercise which started at the weekend.
The demonstrators accused the opposition party leaders of
imposing candidates of their choice.
“If Zanu PF can have primary elections, surely the MDC-T
can do better. We have accused Zanu PF of denying our party the voters’ roll,
but it is exactly what we are doing internally,” one of the protesters at
Morgan Tsvangirai House, said.
But MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi dismissed the
demonstrators as “hired” Zanu PF activists on mission to discredit his party.
“I suspect those who are demonstrating are not MDC-T
members. Our people know all our processes and after the primary elections, we
are going for another round of appeals where we will deal with issues raised by
our legitimate members. They must come through the office of the chairman,” he
said.
This came as MDC-T’s Harare West sitting MP Jessie Majome
pulled out of the party’s candidates’ selection system, citing underhand
manoeuvres to push her out of the race and vowed to stand as an independent
candidate.
“Once I say that I am putting my hat in the ring as an
independent, it means I am not representing the party in the election and that
is what I have simply done. I have withdrawn from seeking the party ticket and
when the election comes I intend to compete for the seat of Harare West,” she
said.
Violent skirmishes were recorded in Budiriro, Glen View
North, Glen View South, Zengeza, Kambuzuma and Gokwe Central where MDC-T
candidates clashed over the selection criteria.
In Budiriro, sitting legislator, Costa Machingauta had to
flee the venue of the meeting as party youths charged at him. In Glen View
North, party supporters turned violent and accused sitting legislator, Fani
Munengami of maliciously removing names of those contesting against him in the
party’s primary elections.
Similar incidences of violence were also recorded in Glen
View South where Vimbai Tsvangirai Java, an aspiring legislator had to be
escorted out of the venue after party supporters turned violent, accusing her
of imposing herself in the constituency.
Several incidences of violence and intimidation were also
recorded in Glen Norah, Zengeza, Kambuzuma and Gokwe.
Zanu PF was also reportedly in flames in the 14
constituencies where re-runs were being held yesterday, amid reports of
chicanery, cheating and violence.
In Harare South, one of the aspiring Zanu PF candidates
Douglas Mahiya said they had petitioned the party’s elections commission to
order another re-run due to alleged massive rigging.
He claimed that one of the contestants Tongai Mnangagwa, who
had been disqualified, “was miraculously found on the list”.
“What has happened today is that all polling stations
didn’t have security, so rampant cheating and corruption is happening. We also
have rampant violence going on as a result of Tongai’s supporters at Churu
Farm.
“We have registered our disappointment by writing a
petition signed by all candidates and it has been submitted to the commission,”
Mahiya said.
In Masvingo, ex-Central Intelligence Organisation officer,
Mafio Mlambo shocked his supporters after he unceremoniously pulled out of the
race at the last minute, leaving her rival and sitting Gutu East MP Berita
Chikwama to go unchallenged.
Zanu PF re-runs in most parts of Manicaland were reportedly
marred by voter apathy, while in Zvimba South, Zvimba North, Chegutu West and
East, the process faced hiccups due to late delivery of ballot papers.
In Chinhoyi, the elections were cancelled and the first
round results were allowed to stand, prompting violent protests by losing
candidates who accused the leadership of double standards.
Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairperson Ziyambi Ziyambi also
professed ignorance over the decision saying: “I don’t have an answer to that
because we were also made to believe that Chinhoyi was ordered to go for a rerun,
but we were told otherwise and the best people to respond are from the
commissariat department.”
In Makoni Central, Senator Shadreck Chipanga’s name was
missing on the ballot paper and candidates agreed to do away with the official
ballot papers and allow voters to write the full name of their preferred
candidate’s name on a piece of paper. Mutare West had similar challenges as the
name of one aspiring candidate, Freddy Mushipe, was missing on the ballot
paper.
Contacted for a comment, Zanu PF secretary for
administration Obert Mpofu said: “It’s the responsibility of the commissariat
department and I haven’t received anything yet. You can check with Cde
(Engelbert) Rugeje.”
But, Rugeje was not picking calls, and instead he sent a
message that read: “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”
Human rights groups urged the two main political parties to
conduct their internal elections in a free and fair manner and dissuade their
supporters from engaging in acts of violence.
Mavhinga said: “Political parties must embrace principles
of democracy which simply say people must freely choose their leaders without
any chicanery, undue influence, intimidation, or bribery. The idea of credible,
free and fair elections must begin at the level of primary elections, not just
when it comes to the main national elections. Leaders must not impose
candidates of their liking they must allow democracy to thrive, even if it
means their favourite candidates lose. What is happening means democracy loses
while individuals ‘win’ because they have power of money, patronage or
violence. It is a shame really.”
Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) in a statement on the MDC-T
intra-party violence said it was “appalled by violent episodes of intra-party
violence that rocked MDC-T consensus meetings in several districts across the
country over the weekend”. Newsday
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