Source: Calls for electoral courts – DailyNews Live
Tendai Kamhungira 30 May 2017
HARARE – Government must set up special courts to deal with political
violence ahead of the 2018 election, the Tendai Biti-led People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) has said.
This comes amid rising concern over inter and intra-party violence.
It is also on the back of an attack of PDP’s youth secretary for defence
and security Tarisai Musurudzwa by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
He was attacked while coming from a belated Africa Day celebration rally
in Mabvuku.
“Zanu PF always relies on violence; such levels of intolerance have no
place in a modern society….there must be a mechanism to deal with
violence, including decentralised electoral courts of violence,” PDP said.
“The signs are clear that Zanu PF will once again use violent tactics in
the next election,” it said.
President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence
from Britain in 1980, has become a pariah in the West.
The 93-year-old is blamed for ruining a once-prosperous country through
human rights abuses and violent, rigged elections.
“In terms of Section 67 Constitution, all citizens have the right, to form
and join political parties, to campaign freely and peacefully for their
political parties, to gather peacefully to influence, challenge or support
political causes. Zanu PF is therefore in violation of this provision; the
law must descend on the perpetrators,” PDP argued.
Addressing his supporters at the Mabvuku rally, Biti said only a
transformational democratic development State can assist in dealing with
the current problems faced by Zimbabweans.
The former Finance minister said this model provides a framework which
will ensure growth and development is even and inclusive, adding that the
government needs to implement the law of devolution, which is provided for
in terms of the Constitution.
The law of devolution stipulates that there should be a provincial council
for each of the country’s provinces, consisting of governors and mayors
among other officials and will be responsible for the social and economic
development of the province.
Recently, civil society organisations raised concern over the escalating
political violence after skirmishes erupted among Zanu PF members in
Bulawayo.
In two separate statements, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) and the
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) criticised the ruling party
members over the violence.
“Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) condemns all forms of violence and calls on
political parties to reign in their supporters and ensure peaceful
proceedings of party meetings,” the organisation said.
The organisation further demanded all political parties to observe peace
as the country hurtles towards next year’s elections.
“…ZPP impresses on all political parties to avoid statements that could
incite violence. Political leaders influence opinions and actions of many
citizens. Reckless utterances and verbal threats may lead to unpredicted
actions with dire effects on the populace.
“ZPP is worried that unless political parties reign in their supporters
and the language they use in such incidents …will mar the environment of
the 2018 elections,” ZPP said.
On the other hand, ZimRights expressed concern over the levels of
inter-party and intra-party violence around the country.
“ZimRights urges political parties to nip such violent tendencies in the
bud as the country faces an election campaign season ahead of the 2018
harmonised elections. Violence at all times is condemnable and should not
be tolerated whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head.
“Zimbabwe’s political environment has been regularly marred by violence
which makes it crucial for any signs of the resurgence of violence to be
taken seriously,” ZimRights said.
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