Zimbabwe’s primary opposition party reported a tragic incident in which one of its supporters was brutally beaten and stoned to death while en route to a political rally. The party alleges that the attackers were activists from the ruling party, just three weeks shy of the country’s upcoming general elections. However, the opposition party did not provide any evidence to support its claim.
According to the police statement, a “public violence” incident occurred, resulting in the death of one individual due to the clashes. The statement did not mention the victim’s political affiliation. It is worth mentioning that Zimbabwe has a turbulent history of violent and disputed elections since gaining independence from white minority rule in 1980 after a grueling guerrilla war. The upcoming general elections on August 23 will determine the country’s president, parliament, and local government councilors.
Leading up to the vote, there have been allegations that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is resorting to violence and intimidation in order to suppress political rivals. Fadzayi Mahere, the spokesperson for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, disclosed that the attack took place while Tinashe Chitsunge and other party supporters were en route to a rally in a politically volatile township in Harare. They were unexpectedly ambushed by activists from the ruling ZANU-PF party who proceeded to assault and stone them.
Social media platforms displayed distressing images of the deceased, who was wearing the opposition party’s distinctive yellow colors, lying lifeless on the ground in a pool of blood. Additionally, videos circulating on social media purportedly show supporters of the ruling party launching rocks and stones at a truck carrying Citizens Coalition for Change followers en route to the Glen View township rally.
In response to the escalating tensions, the information ministry called for calm and urged people to embrace the president’s message of peaceful campaigns, open exchange of ideas, and political tolerance. Earlier in the day, a report by Human Rights Watch titled “Crush Them Like Lice” shed light on the prevalent “violence, intimidation, harassment, and repression” associated with Mnangagwa’s party, particularly targeting Citizens Coalition for Change members and civil society activists. The New York-based watchdog stated that “ZANU-PF supporters have engaged in widespread harassment, threats, and acts of violence, preventing opposition parties from staging rallies, mobilizing, campaigning, and associating with supporters across the country.”
It should be noted that Mnangagwa assumed power following a coup in 2017 and won a disputed election in 2018. He, along with his officials, has repeatedly refuted allegations of orchestrating a campaign of violence and intimidation leading up to this month’s election, emphasizing the importance of conducting peaceful campaigns to his supporters.
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