by Rudo Saungweme

As the 2018 harmonised elections approach, the MDC Alliance continues to unleash violence against members of the rival parties and factions.

A member of that party, Ephrage Gwavava assaulted a ZANU PF member, Charles Sixpence in Chitungwiza. Both reside in Chitungwiza South constituency.

Circumstances are that Gwavava met Sixpence in Chitungwiza on Sunday and accused him of pulling down Alliance posters which the later denied. Gwavava went on to attack Sixpence using every weapon he came across, resulting in the later sustaining a fractured arm and multiple bruises on his face.

Sixpence has since reported the matter to the police and investigations are underway.

The violence occurred amid President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for a peaceful campaign ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.

In its survey, the Zimbabwe Peace Project highlighted that the MDC Alliance tops in politically motivated violence. ZPP in its monthly reports stated that, outstanding issues of the successor to the late Morgan Tsvangirai coupled with the accommodation of Alliance members has caused serious problems in the MDC –T.

MDC T created a notorious group known as the Vanguard. The group is said to be in support of Chamisa following the unclear succession policy in MDC T after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai. The Vanguard group tried to set up fire on a hut where Khupe and other MDC T leaders had sought refuge.

On the other hand, the Electoral Act places a duty on political parties to ensure that their members desist from violent conduct and political party officer-bearers must, in addition, take effective steps to discipline party members who engage in violence and electoral malpractices.

The MDC Alliance is failing to adhere to this and even their leaders are also failing to address the issue of violence.