Heal Zimbabwe condemns in the strongest terms acts of violence targeting members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members by alleged ZANU PF supporters in Kwekwe during a rally on 27 February 2022.According to party spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere,a total of 17 CCC supporters were badly injured during the attack while one person lost his life.
The attack come barely a day after Vice President, Constantine Chiwenga announced during a rally in Kwekwe that his party was ready to “crush the CCC like lice” and prevent its leader Nelson Chamisa from winning the harmonized elections in 2023.Heal Zimbabwe notes that such reckless statements by the Vice President incite hate and animosity among political players. Heal Zimbabwe is greatly concerned that while President Emmerson Mnangagwa have been on record calling for peace ahead of elections, his party on one hand has been on the offensive perpetrating violence against political opponents. It is against this background that Heal Zimbabwe calls on political parties to inculcate a new political culture among their supporters that underscores the need for peace and political tolerance. It is Heal Zimbabwe’s view that tolerance and pluralism are principles central to the attainment of peace and also form core pillars of democracy.
In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe implores the police to uphold the Constitution and enforce the law without fear, favour or bias in compliance with Section 219 and arrest all perpetrators of the Kwekwe violence. Heal Zimbabwe also implores political parties to reign in on errant supporters who perpetrate violence. Independent Commissions supporting democracy such as the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) that are funded through tax payers money must fulfill their constitutional obligations and work to support and entrench human rights and democracy in compliance with Section 233 of the constitution.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
