Zimbabwe Slides Back Into 2008 Violent Era: ZESN

http://www.radiovop.com

Harare, November 07, 2011 -The country’ political environment has gone back
to where it was in 2008 with some no go areas being created by Zanu-PF
making it impossible for other political parties to have political freedom,
the country’s independent election watchdog has said.

Prior to the  holding of the discredited Presidential run-off election in
June 2008,Zanu-PF disrupted political rallies organised by mainstream
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), beat up people perceived to be MDC
supporters and created some no go areas in the country for any other
political party other than Zanu-PF.

Zanu-PF also used state security agents to clamp down on opposition members.

This is exactly what has emerged in the country over the past week where the
police once again barred MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s rallies in
Matebeleland North.

Last Sunday, Tsvangirai was also forced to abandon his star rally set for
Chitungwiza’s Chibuku stadium after violent Zanu-PF youths bulldozed the
stadium, destroyed two MDC-T party vehicles, some party equipment and
injured seven people.

In an exclusive interview with Radio VOP Monday in Harare, Zimbabwe Election
Support Network (ZESN) National Director Rindai Chipfunde Vava  said another
bloody election is looming adding that some political parties are wielding
knives and spears.

“Early warning signs we are observing at the moment are that there are
certain political parties which are wield their knives and spears they are
instead sharpening them. They are preparing themselves for yet another
battle when election time comes.

“As ZESN we are saying and have been always saying those perpetrating
violence should stop for the sake of peace and reconciliation. Violence
should stop for the sake of national development. If violence persists we
are not going to have a peaceful election. It does not help anyone to have a
violent election which will get us back again to where the country has
been,” she said.

“In terms of democratic reforms, Zimbabwe is moving like tortoise .We have
gone nowhere, I do not know, maybe it’s because some people are afraid that
too much democratisation of the political space gets them out of power or
makes them loose political grip,” lamented Chipfunde Vava.

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