A REPORT by human rights non-governmental organisation, the
Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) for the month of June has revealed that the main
opposition MDC-T recorded more cases of electoral intra party violence (16
cases) than the ruling Zanu PF party (three cases).
Unlike previous election years where Zanu PF was the main
perpetrator of inter-party electoral violence, this year’s intra party violence
is said to be attributable to the factionalism conundrum that has affected
political parties.
“Of the 19 cases of intra-party violence, 16 of them were
recorded in the MDC-T and the remaining three by Zanu PF, and this was
attributed to the chaotic primary elections in almost all political outfits,”
the report said.
ZPP said they recorded cases of intimidation even during
the sitting of the Nomination Court last week.
“In St. Mary’s, Chitungwiza, a candidate Tendai Simon
failed to submit nomination papers after his rivals grabbed and tore them. In
Mhondoro Ngezi, a National Patriotic Front candidate, Dorothy Mabasa claimed
she had been intimidated by Ephraim Chengeta of Zanu PF while trying to submit
her papers.
“An aspiring candidate was also detained for two days
before Nomination Court making it impossible for him to submit his papers in
time,” the ZPP report said.
They said all this was in contravention of section 133B of
the Constitution which prohibits intimidation, and preventing a candidate from
submitting their nomination forms. The penalties for the offence are a fine not
exceeding level 10 or even five years imprisonment.
Some of the infractions by Zanu PF in the report included
an incident in Chegutu on June 1, during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rally
where traders were said to have been ordered to close shop and force marched to
the rally.
The bickering in the MDC Alliance formations was said to be
mainly over urban seats, where candidates felt they had more chances to win.
“The opposition party expects to win urban seats and wards
easily and this has intensified jostling and congestion of candidates vying for
the ‘safe’ seats within perceived opposition strongholds. Bulawayo and Harare
which are opposition strongholds recorded many incidents of intra-party
violence involving MDC-T primary elections,” the report said.
In areas of Mashonaland Central, Zanu PF was said to be
victimising candidates from Joice Mujuru’s National People’s Party, resulting
in an incident in Mazowe where a toddler, Professor Lumbe was murdered.
Candidates from the G-40 linked NPF were also said to be victimised by Zanu PF
supporters.
In Mashonaland West, the ZPP said Zanu PF activists and
traditional leaders were the ones causing havoc. Neswsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment