Brigton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Following recent political violence incidents that claimed the lives of two people and left some nursing injuries in Kwekwe and Gokwe, political analysts have warned of a possible 2008 violence scenario in the run up to the 2023 general elections.
Some have said the recent incidents were a dry run to what is going to happen in 2023 saying there is a possibility of returning ‘fire with fire’.
Great Zimbabwe University lecturer and political commentator Dr Davison Mabweazara Mugodzwa said what happened in Kwekwe gives a gory picture of possible future clashes saying members of the opposition now seem ready to retaliate if they are provoked and this can lead to blood bath.
“People are now fed up with the situation; they are answering to the politics of the stomach. People are hungry and they say a hungry man is an angry man so we are likely to see a repeat of the 2008 situation in 2023,” said Mugodzwa
The Kwekwe incident has been attributed to statements made a day before by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga where he said they will crash the opposition like lice.
Mugodzwa however said people no longer listen to old guys who are in power saying it is the youth who have just learnt to defend themselves.
“People no longer listen to these old rich guys in positions. It is the stomachs that are dictating the pace now. People are hungry and they can do anything to defend themselves. The meeting was sanctioned by the police and some wanted to disrupt it and people retaliated as we all saw,” said Mugodzwa.
Another analyst Dr Wellington Gadzikwa said the Zimbabwean political climate was now charged and something needed to be done urgently to diffuse the pending crisis.
“It looks like the Zimbabwean political climate is highly charged and if nothing is done to diffuse the tensions then worse things could happen. The impending drought and the persistent harsh economic environment could add more propensities for conflict in the political realm. Violence is largely a reflection of endemic poverty as citizens are becoming more politically conscious and feel that the vote will be the panacea to their liberation,” said Dr Gadzikwa.
He went on to say political players should not make statements that influence members to engage in violent behaviour.
“Political players must desist from seemingly inciting and spreading language that encourages conflict or fame elections as a duel or war, they must reign in on their errant members,” said Dr Gadzikwa
Another commentator professor Charles Pfukwa said violence should be condemned at all cost and said what happened in Kwekwe was unfortunate and should be avoided at all cost saying if it is not addressed could lead to serious issues.
“Violence is condemned at all cost and we should let the law take its course. We don’t have to point fingers at each other but make sure we avoid a similar situation and that is everyone’s responsibility. ZEC, political players, the electorate, security forces, the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the clergy, traditional leaders and everyone else should be involved if we are to end this,” said Professor Pfukwa.
Another analyst who preferred anonymity said the Kwekwe incident was worrisome because of our not-so-good history as a nation which dates back to the 2000s.
“As a nation we have a history of political violence which started in the early 2000s. The violence escalated as time moved on and the 2008 era was the peak. So what happens is if these guys in power feel threatened from their opponents they pretend to have lost control of their supporters who would then cause violence,” said the analyst.
The analyst further said another worrisome issue is the bulge of unemployed youths who are excitable and can be easily manipulated, aggravated by the growing cases of drug abuse and drug trafficking, which were not as popular in previous years.
“We have a high number of unemployed youths now who are excitable and can easily be manipulated. In 2008 drug abuse was lower compared to now and you can see the worry we have if something is not done,” said the analyst.
Human rights activist and Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project Jestina Mukoko echoed the same sentiments on drug abuse saying unemployed people were being lured into violence for a container of Chibuku beer.
“The police memo from the Kwekwe incident proves that the accused people are unemployed, that tells us that they are being abused for beer and other small tokens which they accept with the intention of fending for themselves and their families. However, money with blood is not good,” said Mukoko.
She went on to say if perpetrators of violence are not arrested then the country is going to witness more cases of violence which she said would only benefit the parties aligned to the perpetrators.
“If the constitution is not respected and the accused don’t get punished, we are likely to see more as it benefits those in power. This incident will make people afraid to associate with the opposition though the constitution guarantees freedom of association,” She said.
She warned political leaders against inciting statements that are likely to cause violence saying people should be aware that beneficiaries of violence do not mobilise their children towards harm’s way.
“People should know that these guys do not mobilise their children to perpetuate violence but other people’s and they should not be tricked into violence. The leaders are supposed to avoid using inflammatory language when addressing people which can incite the public,” she said.
Youth Decide Director Learnmore Munhangu said a repeat of 2008 or worse is inevitable unless something is done saying the way other leaders are delivering toxic speeches in front of their supporters could perpetuate a bloody election period.
“Basing from reports which are in circulation, it’s very clear that we are heading towards a replica of the disastrous 2008 situation. The socio-political environment is spiteful. All political players are aggressive and some seem to almost equal in terms of support base.
“Some leaders are delivering toxic and malevolent speeches in front of supporters as a way of perpetuating violence and if that continues, bloodshed is inevitable,” said Munhangu
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Spokesperson Obert Gutu said as a commission they condemn any form of violence and said there should be peace always, election period or not.
“I cannot prophesy if there will be violence in the upcoming election or not but as a commission we are against violence all the time and all generations be it election time or not, let there be peace every time,” said Gutu.
