8.3. In order to get to the bottom of the cause of action of the complaint, conflict mapping was carried out. The purpose of the conflict mapping was to provide a quick profile of the conflict situation after eliciting snapshots of the conflict from the actors. This process provided a clearer understanding of the origins, nature, dynamics, and possibilities for the resolution of the conflict. The ultimate goal was to provide sustainable interventions for managing the conflict (Wehr, 1979). The conflict mapping process explored the following issues by posing the questions presented below: i. Profile: What is the political, economic and socio-cultural context? What are the emergent issues? What conflict affected areas can be situated within the context? Is there a history of conflict? ii. Causes: What are the structural causes of conflict? What can be considered proximate causes of conflict? What triggers could have contributed to the outbreak, escalation or prolonging of the conflict? What factors can contribute to peace? iii. Actors: Who are the main actors? What are their interests, goals, positions, capacities and relationships? What capacities for peace can be identified? What actors can be identified as spoilers and why? iv. Dynamics: What are the current conflict trends? What are the windows of opportunity? What scenarios can be developed from the analysis of the conflict profile, causes and actors? Conflict profile 8.4. A macro level analysis of the political conflicts between ZANU PF and MDCT political parties indicated that hostilities between the two parties date back to 2008 when extensive political violence escalated throughout the country causing fear, alarm, despondency, physical harm, fatalities, acrimonious social relationships as well as damage to property. 8.5. A micro level analysis of the political conflicts in Chitungwiza, Ward 23 showed that Chitungwiza being the District Headquarters of the MDC-T is a highly politically volatile area. The MDC-T is the dominant political party in the area where it has seats in all the other constituencies except Page 8 of 13