A fortnight after Zimbabwe recorded some of the worst incidents of political violence during council by-elections in Matebeleland South, police are yet to make a single arrest even though the perpetrators are known.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) campaign teams were attacked by violent thugs in Matobo and Insiza districts in broad daylight.
Three CCC legislators fell victim to the violence that was blamed on Zanu PF supporters. MP Jasmine Toffa was badly injured after the attack in Insiza.
Shocking pictures of Toffa, who was admitted in hospital after the attack, circulated on social media and revealed to the world the extent of the injuries inflicted on the CCC activist.
CCC said Toffa lost her handbag, personal belongings, money and fuel coupons and sand was poured into the vehicle engine.
Police issued a statement saying they received reports from both CCC and Zanu PF blaming each other for the violence, but so far no one from the ruling party has stepped forward to say they were attacked by members of the opposition.
The temptation to draw parallels between the incidents in Insiza and Matobo and the violence that happened in Nyatsime early this year cannot be resisted because it helps us understand how police treat cases of political violence.
In the Nyatsime case, police made swift arrests and two CCC legislators and 14 activists were thrown behind bars.
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The courts have been dealing harshly with the Nyatsime 16 as they have been denied bail several times, ostensibly to send a message that political violence would be tolerated.
However, in the case of Insiza and Matobo, the wheels of justice have been turning very slowly and this has inevitably led to accusations of bias being made against the police.
The scenario does not augur well for the 2023 elections that are in the horizon.
Failure by the police to deal with localised violence in Insiza and Matobo raises real questions about the force’s ability to handle the situation come next year where the stakes are going to be higher.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police needs to redeem itself by ensuring that cases of political violence are investigated without fear or favour.
There must be no sacred cows when it comes to dealing with violence to instil confidence in the electoral system.
A nonpartisan police force will be a crucial ingredient in ensuring that Zimbabwe holds credible elections and the handling of the recent violence has left many with questions if the conditions are there for the polls to pass as free and fair.
