Political violence has long been a familiar strategy employed by ZANU PF to suppress opposition in Zimbabwe. While their means may be pathetic, the statistics are unfortunately in their favor. According to a 2009 study by Collier & Hoeffler, politicians who resort to violence and illegal practices, including abduction, are three times more likely to remain in office compared to their clean counterparts.
The recent abduction of members from the CCC political party in Zimbabwe highlights the biased actions of the Police, Soldiers, and Secret Services Agency (CIO). Additionally, the denial by the Police to allow CCC to stage a rally serves as an electoral tactic to decrease opposition voter turnout without significantly affecting the turnout of ZANU PF supporters. As Zimbabwe approaches another election, the integrity and health of our democratic space are already under question. Instead of fostering participation, the political society is displaying hostility through threats, which affects voter choice and willingness to engage in political gatherings.
Despite these challenges, Chamisa, the leader of the main opposition wing, remains confident and determined, shining like the rising morning sun in his public speeches. However, doubts persist regarding his ability to fulfill his promises of granting Zimbabweans a second independence. CCC has faced numerous obstacles, such as being denied space in Marondera, supporters being brutally beaten in Gokwe, and the cancellation of a rally in Binga due to a lack of police manpower caused by President E. Mnangagwa’s visit on the 17th, which coincided with the planned CCC rally on the 15th.
The tragic death of Max Dutuma, a former CCC candidate for Ward 26 in Highfield West, adds to the threat against constitutionalism and political democracy in Zimbabwe. Promoting youth political participation to overcome apathy is a global theme aligned with the SDGs and even adopted into the NDS by President E. Mnangagwa. The elimination of promising political minds based on differing opinions sets back multi-party democracy and raises the question: how long will nationalist leaders go to extremes to consolidate their power and enlarge their political cults? The exploitation of youths, through drug inducements leading to impulsive destruction of lives, and the perpetuation of poverty as a Western-injected paralysis that they refuse to acknowledge, are clear indicators of their failure.
While other nations play smart politics, embracing competition of ideas as a selective principle to ensure effective representation and drive change, Zimbabwe seems trapped in the African curse of lagging behind in development and change. Engaging in hard and dirty politics, spilling blood to eliminate competition, was a trend that ended during the Cold War. The construction of roads should not be limited to election periods but rather to fulfill taxpayers’ need for standard service delivery. Political food aid should not be disbursed as a mere ploy to lure voters, but rather as a means to genuinely improve and sustain lives. Employment should be based on merit, not political affiliation. These pressing socio-development issues weigh heavily on the minds of every citizen, their families, and entrepreneurs. CCC is the only party capable of addressing these concerns, and that is why every Zimbabwean should cast their vote before ZANU PF attempts to rig the electoral system once again.
As Chamisa possesses the vision, ZANU PF is resorting to underhanded tactics to hinder CCC from achieving or even establishing its mission.