POLITICAL analysts and the two MDCs in the coalition government have dismissed Zanu PF’s claims portraying itself as a victim of political violence, saying it was a ploy to attack its opponents under the guise of self-defence.
Report by Everson Mushava
In its 2012 central committee report unveiled by President Robert Mugabe while officially opening the Zanu PF conference in Gweru last Friday, the party accused the MDCs of perpetrating violence against its supporters.
Part of the report reads: “Since the formation of the MDC, we have over the years witnessed an increase in the number of our members who have fallen victim to political violence. Some have suffered permanent injuries and some have lost property at the behest of the MDC thugs. Again funds must be availed for such an eventuality.”
Political analyst Alexander Rusero described claims in the Zanu PF central committee report as unfounded.
“It’s a fallacy for Zanu PF to play victim of political violence. It is a story of perpetrators claiming to be the victims.
“You cannot win violence against Zanu PF. Zanu PF controls all the arsenal of power,” Rusero said. “There is the Gukurahundi atrocities and the 2008 presidential runoff violence and right now they are preparing for another violent campaign.
“By saying Zanu PF supporters should put stickers on their doors, it should remind people of the Passover in the biblical book of Exodus when Israelites were saved by sprinkling blood on their door. Sure, worse things are coming.”
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Another analyst, Pedzisai Ruhanya, said violence “runs in Zanu PF’s DNA”.
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora dismissed the Zanu PF claim as a pre-emptive strategy to justify its violent character.
“Everybody knows the numbers of MDC supporters who have been butchered by Zanu PF supporters,” Mwonzora said. “The report is meant to prepare ground for Zanu PF to start an orgy of violence and intimidation under the guise of self-defence. Already, they are disrupting MDC rallies and recently, Zanu PF petrol-bombed an old man in Zaka.
“There has been violence in 2008 presidential elections and the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980 at the instance of Zanu PF. All is documented for people to see,” Mwonzora said.
MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said: “Zanu PF is a party with a well-documented record of violence against innocent civilians. “Zanu PF relies on violence to win elections and is not ashamed of lying. They killed people in Matabeleland and in the 2008 presidential runoff.”
