Local policy think tank, the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) has raised alarm over the grave implications of the recalls of 15 legislators from Parliament, a move that threatens the very foundations of democracy in the country.
In a report, ZDI has highlighted the growing concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and the weakening of the opposition, as these recalls are seen as part of ZANU-PF’s broader state-building and divide-and-rule strategies.
“Democracy in Zimbabwe is at risk of being eroded and weakened by ZANUPF’ securocratic state-building strategy, which seeks to eliminate any checks and balances, civil liberties, and political pluralism. In this context, the opposition in Zimbabwe is at risk of being fragmented and weakened by ZANU-PF’s divide-and-rule tactics, which seek to sow discord and distrust among its leaders, members, and allies,” said ZDI
The report says the recalls jeopardize the delicate balance of checks and balances, civil liberties, and political pluralism, essential for a thriving democracy in the country and that it strips citizens of their right to choose their elected representatives.
“The recalls undermine the principle of representative democracy, which is based on the idea that the people elect their representatives to act on their behalf and express their interests in Parliament. The recalls deprive the people of their right to choose their representatives, and violate the mandate that they gave to the opposition MPs in the August 2023 elections. The recalls also disregard the will and wishes of the CCC members and supporters, who have not been consulted or involved in the decision-making process that led to those recalls,” read the report
ZDI added “They also create divisions and conflicts within the opposition, which may lead to fragmentation and defection. This is another key agenda of the recalls by ZANU PF and its securocratic strategists. The recalls thus weaken the capacity and readiness of the opposition to contest future elections, and give ZANU-PF an unfair advantage over them.”
