Charumbira ignoring a court order to withdraw
his pro-ZANU PF statements.5 This week, there
is an increase of partisan behaviour by
traditional leaders in rural areas like Buhera,
where traditional leaders are holding
clandestine meetings asking people to
rehearse voting for ZANU PF in groups. When
we consider that Zimbabwe has suffered
deeply from election related violence, and that
the trauma is still to heal, we see here a return
to a past that we are trying to deal with. The
history of elections in Zimbabwe is marred by
violence with thousands of victims and
traumatised communities. In 2008, over 200
people were killed in the run up to the election
run-off,6 as was the case in 2000 and 2002.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe established a
N a t i o n a l Pe a c e a n d R e c o n c i l i a t i o n
Commission (NPRC) for purposes of ensuring
post-conflict justice, healing and
reconciliation. The cases of violence and
intimidation being reported across the country
fly in the face of a constitutional commitment
to heal the nation. How do we begin the
process of healing when the violence has not
stopped and perpetrators are not brought to
justice?
The Risk of Continuing the Legacy of
Contested Elections
The 2018 elections are set to be another
addition on Zimbabwe's long litany of
contested elections which are the major
source of the many problems that have
bedevilled Zimbabwe for the past two
decades. There is no doubt that contested
elections have led to a myriad of problems for
Zimbabwe in the previous administration. We
are concerned that there has been no
investment in a comprehensive dispute
resolution mechanism to ensure that the
concerns of the stakeholders are not just ‘swept
under the bridge’ for the future to deal with.
Responsible leaders have an obligation to
resolve disputes peacefully today and not
tomorrow. With sufficient maturity, we can
avoid another disputed election and ensure
that we break the legacy of contested
elections. Contested elections are a recipe for
instability in the not so distant future.
Urgent Call for Action
Having identified these among many other
issues, we see a very dangerous situation
developing in Zimbabwe. We thus here call
upon the leadership of political parties, ZEC,
SADC, AU and the international community
not to wait until it is late to take steps to avoid
unrest. We recommend the setting up of a high
level inclusive multi-sectoral mediation
initiative to assist ZEC in arresting the current
situation and ensure all contested issues are
ironed out in a way that restores the peoples
confidence in the process. The initiative must
then shepherd Zimbabwe through the election
into post- election reconciliation. The
Zimbabwe Republic Police must take swift
action against all people responsible for the
ongoing violence and intimidation in the
communities. Political leaders from across the
political divide must make a commitment,
after all the issues are resolved, that they will
accept the outcome of the elections. If they
dispute the outcome, they must commit to
resorting to peaceful means of resolving
disputes and avoid any methods that may lead
to violence.
5 See report in the Daily News here https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2018/06/16/chief-charumbira-faces-arrest-forcontempt-of-court
6 Zimbabwe: No justice for rampant Killings, torture, March 2018, https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/03/08/zimbabwe-no-justicerampant-killings-torture
Conclusion
We believe Zimbabwe is in a transition, and transitions are very fragile processes. They must be
handled with care. The major political parties have both made commitment to real change, a
transition from the old ways of doing things. It is at times like this that true leadership must be
demonstrated. We therefore implore our leaders to look at these suggestions in a very progressive
way. Zimbabwe cannot go back to a past of violence. If the issues identified here are not addressed,
we are surely headed back to that place where we are running away from. We remain committed
to working tirelessly to ensure that Zimbabwe achieves sustainable peace. We can only hope that
our leadership shares the same values with us.