This was so despite the signing of the Peace Pledge, facilitated by the National
Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC);
✓ Opposition leaders mobilised their supporters, threatening to rise against an
outcome that does not translate to victory for them. This came at the back of
senior government officials claiming that the military will not recognise
opposition victory;
✓ Hate speech against female candidates was also been reported.32
✓ An increase of partisan behaviour by traditional leaders in rural areas like
Buhera, where traditional leaders were holding clandestine meetings asking
people to rehearse voting for ZANU PF in groups.
The Commission of Inquiry
Following the 1st of August Killings, on 29 August, President Mnangagwa set up a
Commission of Inquiry in terms of the Commission of Inquiry Act [Chapter 10:07] to
investigate the death people in the army crackdown on post-election protests. The
Commission comprises of seven members four foreigners and three locals and was
chaired by Kgalema Motlante, the former South Africa’s president. The Commission
is expected to make public its findings within three months. The terms of reference are
as follows,
✓ to inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August 2018, post-election
violence;
✓ to identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in
the protests;
✓ to inquire into the intervention by the ZRP in the maintenance of law and order;
✓ to investigate the circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the
military in assisting in the maintenance of law and order;
✓ to consider whether the degree of force used was appropriate to the ensuing
threat to public safety, law and order;
✓ to assess extent of damage/ injury caused thereof;
✓ to investigate any other matters which the Commission of Inquiry may deem
appropriate and relevant to the inquiry;
✓ to make suitable recommendations; and
32
NTJWG Pre- Election Transitional Justice Briefing
43
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