RE: ZCTU CONDEMNS RESURGENCE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE

18 October 2022

For immediate release

PRESS RELEASE

RE: ZCTU CONDEMNS RESURGENCE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is deeply concerned with the resurgence in inter-party violence in the Matabeleland region which reared its ugly face in recent days ahead of the Matobo ward 2 by-election slated for 22 October.

We note that the violence that has flared up a few days before the by-election could be a pre-cursor of the actual dosage of violence to be prescribed by political players in next year’s watershed elections. The location of the violence is even more worrisome as it reminds the citizens of the area of Gukurahundi, when thousands were masaccared, tortured and displaced over political differences. In the latest development, we have witnessed inhuman and degrading treatment of women, insensitive utterances of deep intolerance of opposition and attacks on members of parliament.

The ZCTU notes that this is not the first time that political parties have been involved in violent activities and we reiterate that violence can never be a means to solve disputes. Political parties must not try to water their diminished political capital by resorting to violence. What is more disappointing is that women have been deliberately targeted and abused. We view this as a warning that political players are willing to go to any lengths to retain power. It is not violence that nurtures political capital and acceptance. The panacea is good governance, development, respect for human rights and tolerance. Zimbabweans are looking up to political parties to show maturity and lead by example by being tolerant to divergent views and preferences.

We note that the police is seized with reports from both the Citizens Coalition for Change and ZANU-PF. We urge the police to be impartial in handling the cases. Violence from any political party must be condemned in the strongest terms and perpetrators must face justice regardless of their political inclination.

Runesu Dzimiri

ACTING SECRETARY GENERAL