Chitungwiza South where Ward 23 is located. MDC-T seems to be making
efforts to gain control of the only Constituency which eluded it while ZANU
PF on the other hand is safeguarding its territory. Violence has been
adopted by both parties to safeguard their interests.
Causes of the conflict
8.6.
Desk research, interviews with the actors and participant observations
showed that the causes of political conflict and violence in Ward 23 of
Chitungwiza are as follows:
i.
Provocation by either of the actors
ii.
Political intolerance by both parties
iii.
Instigation by political leaders from both parties
iv.
Drug abuse by some of the youths from both parties
Actors
8.7.
The mapping exercise revealed that the actors are youths and political
leaders from ZANU PF and MDC-T political parties. The Zimbabwe
Republic Police is also an actor in as far as its law enforcement role in the
conflict area is concerned.
Dynamics
8.8.
It is notable that arrest of the perpetrators of political violence from both
parties as well as engagement of political leaders of the two political leaders
by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at District level seems to have quelled the
situation which has been calm since the 25th of October 2017. However, of
concern, is the setting in of negative peace, which is the absence of visible
and direct violence (Galtung, 1964). Negative peace is evidenced by the
stoppage of further direct attacks on each other by the parties but there is
still underlying fear for personal security, suspicion, and hatred against each
other. Failure to deal with the triggers and root causes of the violence will
undermine positive peace which is characterised by improved human
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