A disturbing video showing ruling party thugs attacking opposition supporters has emerged online, sparking outrage and fears for Zimbabwe’s election.
The footage, widely shared on social media, captures the moment opposition supporters were forced to flee for their lives from ZANU PF loyalists.
Many slammed the violence and accused ZANU PF of using brutal tactics to intimidate opponents. rights lawyer Roselyn Hanzi blasted politicians for prioritizing their own interests over the nation’s wellbeing: “Politicians have consistently failed to preach the message of peace…Political office is very personalised.”
The video and subsequent outrage has reignited concerns about fairness in next month’s election.
Hopewell Chin’ono, a critic of ZANU PF, denounced the violence: “This is what will discredit the Zimbabwean election…The ruling party should not use violence against its competitors.”
An Election Observer sent this to me this morning.
This is what will discredit the Zimbabwean election amongst many other things.
The ruling party should not use violence against its competitors, it should allow every political party to openly sell its messages to the electorate! pic.twitter.com/581agnhCBP— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) July 12, 2023
Critics point to ZANU PF’s long history of sponsoring violence, with accusations that “violence, rɑpǝ and murder are in its DNA.”
Pedzisai Ruhanya claimed:”Deep in the villages, they are sponsoring violence and its tolerated by their leadership at the highest levels.”
The sh0cking video has laid bare the polarized and violent nature of Zimbabwean politics. As the election approaches, calls are growing for action to ensure a free and fair vote.
