thern Africa, reported
that the attack on opposition and civil society leaders by state security agents on March 11
symbolises the escalation of state sponsored repression, and it goes on to
implicate several departments of the Zanu (PF) regime.
“The violence of March 11 and the months following in Zimbabwe
indicated increased levels of state repression against dissenting voices in the
country,” the report states. “Against the background of enormous
erosion of the political legitimacy of the ruling party, and an economy in
freefall, the state has responded with characteristic brutality and contempt for
its citizenry. Several features have marked the recent human rights abuses
by the Zimbabwean state.” The report cites many incidents showing attacks
by the state on opposition leaders, supporters as well as the brutal
response to the protest by lawyers in May. “In 90% of the attacks, the
perpetrators involved government agencies such as the police, CIO, CID and army. 85%
of the cases were in Harare, one of the two major urban areas considered
to be opposition territory,” it states.
It further notes the desire by the Zanu (PF) regime to use allegations
of violence as a way of destroying the opposition whilst also trying to
use divide and rule tactics. “A deliberate strategy of attacking the
Tsvangirai formation of the MDC while showing leniency to the Mutambara formation
in order to exacerbate the existing tension between the two groups (is one
of the features that have marked the repression). The state has continued
in its attempts to criminalize the opposition MDC through accusations that
it is a terrorist organization dedicated to regime change as part of a
global imperial strategy. Thus far, the Zimbabwean state has provided little
evidence to back up its claim.
Whilst noting the importance of the mediation effort by the Sadc region
through President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, the Solidarity Peace
Trust however bemoans the proceeding to prepare for next year’s elections by
the Zanu (PF) government in disregard of calls for reforms. It further says
the voter registration process has already showed the ruling regime intends
to rig the elections.
Post published in: News