Surge in Political Violence in Zimbabwe Linked to Zanu PF’s 2030 Agenda

Zimbabwe faces a serious rise in political violence, driven by the Zanu PF party’s agenda to extend President Mnangagwa’s term. February alone saw 117 reported human rights violations affecting 7,292 people, including women and individuals with disabilities. The Zimbabwe Peace Project highlights forced attendance at party meetings, rising intra-party violence, and calls for governmental and judicial action to uphold human rights.

Zimbabwe is currently facing an alarming increase in political violence, largely attributed to the ruling Zanu PF party’s efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond its current limit in 2028. In February, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) reported 117 instances of human rights violations affecting a total of 7,292 individuals nationwide.

The array of human rights abuses includes threats of violence, politically motivated assaults, unfair distribution of food aid, and restrictions on freedoms associated with assembly, association, and expression. Most of these violations are linked to the ruling party, local authorities, and traditional leaders, indicating a systemic issue within the country’s political framework.

The ZPP report highlighted that among the victims, 4,064 were women — 94 of whom have disabilities — while 3,228 were men, with 77 reported to have disabilities. Furthermore, it was noted that community members are being coerced into attending ruling party meetings disguised as public gatherings to facilitate the distribution of food aid, part of the so-called “2030 agenda.”

Incidents of intra-party violence are also escalating within Zanu PF, with reports of physical confrontations at meetings. A notable instance occurred in Ward 2, Kadoma, where rival factions clashed over the ruling party’s agenda. Similarly, two members of the CCC were attacked by Zanu PF supporters in Epworth for opposing the extension of the presidential term.

The report details injuries sustained by victims, such as assaults with metal rods, which resulted in trauma to the face, mouth, and head, along with the confiscation of personal items like mobile phones by assailants. To combat this rising tide of violence, the ZPP has called for the government and judiciary to enforce the rule of law and protect human rights comprehensively. Additionally, it urged the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to enhance mechanisms for investigating and prosecuting these violations.

The increasing political violence in Zimbabwe is a significant concern, primarily driven by the Zanu PF party’s agenda to extend President Mnangagwa’s term. With over 7,000 reported human rights violations in February alone, it is imperative for the government and judicial institutions to prioritize the enforcement of human rights protections. The call for more effective investigative mechanisms by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is also crucial in addressing this troubling trend.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com