The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says there were nearly 2,000 cases of political violence in the country between January and October this year.
In its quarterly Political and Human Rights Violations Report, covering the period January to September 2022, the Forum said it recorded a total of 1,857 violations.
“This, together with the total number of violations recorded in Matobo alone, brings the total to 1,901. This startling figure is already more than half of the politically motivated violations recorded from January to December 2021. It is apparent that the country's deepening polarisation and political crisis need urgent intervention to ensure that Zimbabwe experiences a free, fair and peaceful election in 2023.”
The Forum said the cases range from arbitrary arrests, malicious damage to property, arson, threats/harassment/intimidation as well as assault and torture.
“The escalation in incidents of politically motivated human rights violations in Mbare, Matobo and Insiza districts points to a deepening political crisis in the country as the nation trudges closer to the 2023 general elections. The increase in politically motivated violence in the lead-up to elections in Zimbabwe is now well documented. While not surprising, the recent events that occurred in Mbare and Matabeleland South Province and the hate speech and incitement in Mberengwa are all highly alarming.
“These recent spates of politically motivated violence, which are unravelling just months away from the 2023 harmonised elections, serve to illuminate the dangers of opting for the use of political violence as a means of gaining both political and electoral advantage.”