Peace organisation condemns fresh violence

“The ZPP has observed with grave concern various episodes of recent violent skirmishes in Epworth, Budiriro and other various parts of the country, (and) these should be condemned with the contempt they deserve,” said ZPP in a statement.

Recently, separate cases of violence were reported in Budiro after attempts to ban an Apostolic sect accused of human rights abuses, among them keeping children from school.

Sect members reacted to the ban that was announced by the head of the Apostolic Christian Council in Zimbabwe (ACCZ), Reverend Johannes Ndanga, at the Budiriro shrine by beating up police officers and journalists.

“The parties to this conflict should have found other non-violent means of dealing with the issue…"

Some of the assailants have already been arrested and appeared in court, even though the sect leader is still on the run.

Youths reported to be aligned to Zanu (PF) reacted to the violence flare-up by raiding the sect shrine and destroying its remaining structures, in the full glare of the police.

"The parties to this conflict should have found other non-violent means of dealing with the issue. ZPP is also equally concerned by the allegations of domestic violence against girls and women in (the banned sect) and calls upon the matter to be investigated and the culprits brought to book,” said ZPP.

It added: “While the violent behaviour of the members of the Apostolic sect cannot be condoned, the Zanu (PF) youths should not take the law into their own hands in the name of solidarity with the nine police officers and two journalists who were affected by the violence of last Friday. This turn of events has the potential of breeding lawlessness in the country.”

Violence also broke out in Epworth, one of Harare’s poorest suburbs, where homes were burnt and many injured during skirmishes during an MDC-T rally, with Zanu (PF) youths suspected to have caused it.

“These violent episodes highlight the need for action to counter the devastating toll they have on our society. It is time for all Zimbabweans to have an honest and frank discussion on reducing both the tendency and capacity for violence in our society,” added ZPP.

It called for the speedy operationalisation of peace building institutions such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

In a separate statement, ZPP reported the serious injury of one Were Phiri, a resident of Dunstan farm in Goromonzi South in Mashonaland East province on Monday.

Phiri was attacked by alleged axe-wielding Zanu (PF) supporters who were evacuating former farm workers and reportedly sustained a cut in the head and ear.

“The ZPP continues to record cases of arbitrary evictions and threats of evictions in the Mashonaland West, Central and East provinces mainly targeting former farm workers,” said the organisation.