Source: Zec acts on Bikita violence – DailyNews Live 22 January 2017
Bridget Mananavire
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has ordered the human
rights commission and police to submit reports on the gruesome violence
that erupted in Bikita West ahead of a by-election in the constituency
today.
Zec’s chairperson Rita Makarau said the reports will guide the electoral
body in taking action over the matter.
On Tuesday night, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)’s candidate
Madock Chivasa and his elections agent Thomas Mudzamiri were brutally
attacked by alleged Zanu PF yobs at Tongonya Shopping Centre and had to be
hospitalised.
Makarau told the Daily News that Zec was not turning a blind eye on the
incident.
“We got a report of what happened and our constituency election officer
held a multi-party liaison meeting yesterday (Thursday) which was attended
by the victims and other candidates,” she said.
“It’s not true that we have turned a blind eye. We have also written to
the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to give us a report on the situation,
since they are also on the ground. And we have also written to the
Zimbabwe Republic Police for a report,” she added.
NCA candidate Madock Chivasa (left) and his election agent nurse wounds
after a brutal attack by alleged Zanu PF yobs prior to the Bikita West
by-election.
“We are waiting for these reports, which we are expecting any minute from
now. These reports will enable us to determine whether we should go ahead
with the election tomorrow (today). We will be guided by these reports on
how to proceed. In the case that we did not get the reports, in time then
we will depend on our election officers,” Makarau said.
Observers reported that guns were fired during the violent attack on
Chivasa, and Mudzamiri.
The pair are said to have sustained injuries during the attack.
This comes as peace advocacy and election observer organisations have rung
alarm bells over the violence disturbing the pre-election processes in
Bikita West, with reports of gunshots days before the by-election
tomorrow.
The Civil rights groups called for investigations to be instituted and
prosecutions of perpetrators to take place before the violence sets a bad
precedent for the 2018 general election.
The Bikita West seat fell vacant after the jailing of Munyaradzi Kereke
who was legislator for the area.
Yesterday, western embassies in Harare condemned the violence saying it
marred the lead-up to the by-election risks disenfranchising voters.
“The heads of mission of the European Union and Switzerland express their
deep concern at reports of intimidation and violence against political
candidates in the run up to the Bikita West by election,” a joint
statement by the European Union (EU) Delegation, the heads of mission of
EU member States in Harare and the head of mission of Switzerland said.
“The heads of mission note the obligation of the authorities to protect
the democratic rights of all citizens.
“It is the responsibility of the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that
justice is served,” they said.
“The heads of mission of the EU and Switzerland urge all parties to
respect democratic principles and contribute to a peaceful election.”
Villagers are set to vote today in the country’s closest by-election yet,
with observers warning that the tight race could lead to violence after
the polls.
United Kingdom (UK) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Catriona Laing, tweeted her
concern.
“Concerning reports of violence or intimidation in Bikita West ahead of
by-election. Monitoring closely @euinzim @usembassyharare,” she said.
“The UK is deeply concerned. UK election observers will be on the ground
from Friday (yesterday) @UKinZimbabwe.”
EU head of delegation Philippe Van Damme also shared his thoughts on
Twitter.
“Violence should be condemned loud and clear by all participants in this
by-election and by their respective party leaders,” he said.
Chivasa, NCA’s spokesperson, is part of six candidates that have
successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court that sat at the
Masvingo Magistrates’ Court that include Zanu PF Women’s League provincial
executive member Beauty Chabaya, Kudakwashe Gopo of the Joice Mujuru-led
ZPF, Terence Makumbo of Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ),
independent candidate Innocent Muzvimbiri and former BikitaWest legislator
Heya Shoko, who will also stand as an independent candidate.
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