A group of pro-democracy activists are reportedly in hiding after after state security agents launched a clampdown on “troublesome activists” whom the state suspects of seeking to block Zanu PF rule in Zimbabwe.
Ahead of the 2023 elections, opposition and civil society activists have intensfied efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections through civic engagement aimed at enhancing citizen agency in pushing for elections that are in line with the basic tenets of democracy.
Zimbabwe has a track record of disputed elections and this has prompted pro- democracy activists around the country to engage grassroots communities on electoral issues as well as the need to defend the vote.
Yesterday a group of activists engaged community members in Mahusekwa in Mashonaland East province for a “Defend the Vote” meeting which was attended by at least 20 villagers.
The meeting was a training of trainers platform which focused on issues such as democracy, electoral integrity, citizen participation in electoral process and constitutionalism.
During the meeting, participants expressed concern that Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF continues to rig elections and this has perpetuated the legitimacy crisis in the country while worsening the socio-economic and political crises.
Participants concurred that ahead of the 2023 polls, they have a duty to defend and promote the basic tenets of democracy and this includes ensuring that citizens play a pro-active role to promote credible elections.
As part of the recommendations, participants agreed to form village committees aimed at raising awareness on the role of citizens in promoting credible elections.
However after the meeting a group of ruling party officials arrived at the venue of the meeting and demanded to see the owners of the place.
The ruling party officials, who were in the company of the local police reportedly said that the agenda of the meeting was treasonous.
“They demanded to know the names of the local villagers that were present at the meeting as well as their places of residence. We had no option but to comply with their demands but as soon as they left we called some of the villagers and they informed their colleagues who immediately went into hiding,” said a source on condition of anonymity.
One of the organisers of the meeting, Clever Bvunzawabaya said they had to engage well wishers to seek assistance for the displaced villagers.
“When we heard that the participants of the meeting were under threat, we dispatched a team that evacuated them from Mahusekwa and we have managed to find safe accomodation for them. Some of them are getting counselling sessions. It is unfortunate that the government of Zimbabwe continues to block citizen participation in electoral process all in a bid to rig elections,” said Bvunzawabaya.
The Zimbabwean interviewed some of the villagers who were visibly in shock.
“Our area is a political hotspot and we don’t know what lies ahead. We have recorded numerous cases of torture and murder of opposition activists and this is of great concern to us,” said a villager.
Evidence gathered shows that the organisers of the meeting, based in Harare have been receiving threats of physical harm and death.
“Even us as the organisers of that meeting, we are not safe at all. Soon after the meeting, I received a call from someone who summoned me to Harare Central Police Station but I told him I was away. After that several people started calling threatening me with physical harm and death and I had to immediately evacuate my home as I feared for my safety and that of my family. I cannot take these threats lightly,” said Bvunzawabaya.
Bvunzawabaya added that there have been visits by unknown people at the residencies of the organisers of the meeting.
He said, “Luckily they have not been able to find is at home but the threats are persisting and we do not know when things will get back to normal.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has refused to comment on the matter but human rights organisations continues to condemn the continued crackdown on opposition and civil society activists ahead of the 2023 elections.
