REPORTS that Zanu PF factional fights have claimed two people following a purge disguised as a restructuring exercise in the party’s restive Chitungwiza district are unfortunate and regrettable.
What is disgusting is the fact that in this day and age, top Zanu PF politicians still believe in using coercion as a tool to retain power and in many cases funding jobless party apparatchiks to unleash violence against perceived enemies.
We believe it was no coincidence that the weekend murders of two party activists came hard on the heels of a not-so-successful restructuring exercise. Zimbabweans have every reason to worry because if internal politics become this bloody what happens to the opposition and other peace loving people.
It is unfortunate that top Zanu PF politicians are frantically trying to sweep the matter under the carpet by alleging it was purely a personal matter when in actual fact the dispute emanated from the party restructuring exercise.
We urge the police to institute thorough investigations into the matter so as to expose those behind the political violence that has also lately been perpetrated against the opposition. Those politicians fond of violence must be locked up in jail regardless of who they are.
Otherwise, Zimbabwe will never know peace with blood-sucking politicians around taking advantage of the vulnerable in society. As the country inches closer to the 2018 elections it is also important to look at the conditions the same elections would be held given the country is slowly receding into a dangerous zone.
All political players must condemn the Chitungwiza deaths because they are purely political. People must be protected going forward. President Robert Mugabe must put a stop to this daylight cannibalism by the officials in his party. Mugabe must not allow the Zanu PF factional fights to plunge the country into chaos simply because he still wants to hang onto power regardless of the consequences.
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What is apparent and saddening is that the murder has left young families of the deceased susceptible. Assuming it is factional politics at play, it is clear in this case that Zanu PF is cursed as it does not appreciate internal democracy.
We believe politics is supposed to be a game; you lose some and win some, but it is how we react to defeat which defines a mature politician. No doubt, violence is a sign of cowardice.
Zimbabweans will wait for Mugabe and Zanu PF to clear their names in the violence gripping the party. The ruling party must show signs of maturity and its supporters should appreciate the fact that they must co-exist with other Zimbabweans with divergent views.
Zimbabweans do not need bloodshed especially caused by petty political fights. We need to inculcate a culture of tolerance and Zanu PF in particular must lead the way by respecting other people’s political opinions without prejudice.
The sanctity of life should be respected as there is no reason, be it social, economic, religious or otherwise nothing justifies the killing of someone. Politicians must learn how to solve their political differences without resorting to violence as this taints the country’s image.
As the late Vice-President John Nkomo summed up “Peace begins with me, Peace Begins with you; it begins with all of us”. We condemn this dastardly act.
