17 hide behind their public speeches, where they sermonize about peaceful campaigning, but, within the communities, they instruct, protect, and reward perpetrators. The issues of violence were of considerable concern. The security forces were seen as partisan, and there is a climate of impunity where perpetrators from the supporters of the ruling party act freely whilst others are not only arrested, but are also arrested even where they are the victims and making complaints. There was considerable concern over the way in which this partisan support is leading to polarised communities and civil space. There was continual reference to the National Youth Service programme and the youth militia during the discussions. Bearing in mind the demographic profile of these youths, – virtually all have O’Level and are unemployed – the preferential treatment given to the “graduates” of the programme leads to great resentment. This resentment is clearly fuelled by the perception in these youth that the National Service programme revolves around a political rather than a vocational orientation. The purpose of the service was supposedly a voluntary training programme for vocational skills, disaster management, patriotism and moral education, but the government has repeatedly stated its intention to make youth service compulsory, with access to tertiary education and public sector positions linked to participation. With unemployment at about 70%, many young people are being lured into these camps, as they are vulnerable and looking for a way to end the financial problems28. Their self-esteem is low and it is easy to engage them in acts of violence. In addition to these issues, the youth were cognisant of the ways in which the civil space has been closed and the freedoms of speech, movement, and association have been limited. The emergence of POSA and AIPPA were given as an example of how intolerant the government has become. In the views of these youth, these Acts demonstrate that the government is not amenable to people with differing views. The youth laid out other grounds stated as to why there is lack of participation and a poor consensus on the identity of the state: · There is a sense of hopelessness; · There is no freedom to participate; · Lack of unity; · Personal interests, people are more concerned about themselves; · People who are not interested in fulfilling their proper mandates; · There is regionalism and tribalism. Popular selection of decision makers This dealt mostly with elections and electoral processes. The discussions around elections unsurprisingly generated heated discussions, and it was very evident that these youth representatives were very knowledgeable about recent elections and the problems with these elections. According to the survey results, Zimbabwean youth do not believe that their decision makers have been selected by popular demand: · · · 28 70% believe that elections are inadequate as opposed to 5% who feel that they are good. 66% believe that votes are unequal as opposed to 13% who believe that they are equal 54% believe that the competition is not open as opposed to 22% who believe that it is open. Similar observations have been made in other African countries. Here see HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (1994), Easy Prey. Child soldiers in Liberia, NEW YORK: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH/AFRICA/HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH CHILDREN’S RIGHTS PROJECT. IDASA: Zimbabwe at the Cross-Roads: Views of Zimbabwean citizens on democracy and transitional justice.