Not another election with soldiers say election-weary Zims

“I lost everything in 2008, and watched helplessly as Zanu (PF) supporters raped my wife. Talk of elections to me is really frightening – because the people who terrorized me and my family are still out there, free,” said Mapfeka.
Mapfeka now considers himself an expert on polls in Zimbabwe as he has been a witness since 1980. He feels that under the current conditions, unless reforms are carried out in the security services, the outcome will be in favour of Zanu (PF), which is supported by the service chiefs. Millions of Zimbabweans like Mapfeka are election weary and talk of another round of polls without reforms is worrying.
For Mapfeka who is 59 and still lives with his wife in the politically restive Mashonaland East province, hope lies in tomorrows SADC meeting. “We hope that SADC will stand firm on military reforms, for we are tired of living in fear. We do not want to see soldiers in our midst and SADC should make that clear to Zimbabwe.President Robert Mugabe (87) and his Zanu (PF) party want elections this year and are adamant that there is nothing wrong with the military.
But the MDC-T, Mugabe’s bedfellows in the uneasy coalition government, insists that elections should not be held with the
security sector in its current unreformed state. Another election with the army still comprising the same chiefs as Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba and Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri is a waste of time and of the
few resources that the country still has.
Villagers in Murewa fear a resurgence of political violence from notonly Mugabe’s supporters but also the army, which the MDC-T says is the greatest threat to a free and fair poll. “Please keep soldiers in the barracks and arrest people who raped and killed our fellow comrades. Chihuri owes it to the people to maintain the law without favour or partisan bias, begged Mapfeka.
Already there are reports from civil society organisations of the mushrooming of Zanu (PF) bases where people are indoctrinated. For villagers in Murewa, memories of burnt homes, forced Disappearances and arbitrary arrests are still very raw. Since 2000, Zimbabwe has had four national elections, two to three years apart, and all have been violent. Mugabe’s party says the widening differences with its coalition partners cannot continue and has vowed to go to the polls this year with or without the two MDC factions in government.
But the MDC is adamant that Mugabe no longer has the power to go it alone. “No single political party has the authority to unilaterally declare election dates outside national and SADC consensus,” said party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora.
Zimbabwe’s unity deal does not say when elections must be held, but places the rewriting of a new constitution as a key determinant. The MDC wants polls only after crucial democratic reforms as spelt out in the country’s unity deal. Chief among these are reforms of the security sector, the electoral infrastructure, licensing of private broadcasters and an end to political intimidation and violence.
University of Zimbabwe political scientist, Dr John Makumbe says Mugabe’s adamant stance on elections (which only began to waver last week) is driven by worries over his advanced age and failing health. “They (Mugabe’s party) are doubtful whether he will be able to campaign next year because of his age and failing health, so they would want to
speed up elections before he falls down,” he says.
Mugabes younger regional peers, long criticised for their softly-softly approach towards him, have rebuked his attempts to force an early poll, insisting on a clear roadmap and villagers in Murewa hope that SADC will up the ante on the need for reforms in the country – especially in the security sector.