'July 31 poll killed political competition in Zimbabwe'

Zimbabwe Transition Barometer researcher and Oxford University lecturer, Phillan Zamchiya said the 2013 election results "killed" political competition, political participation and pose a threat to the constitution and constitutionalism.

This is revealed in a the post-election edition of the Zimbabwe Transition Barometer, to be published this week.

"In essence, Zimbabwe is back to the pre-2000 era where politics is dominated by the big-man-democracy," he said.

"The situation can be worse given that the big-man [Mugabe] is now well-oiled with diamonds and other resources to refine clientelism and patronage that will undermine key political and economic institutions of government."

Zamchiya said in addition, the subtle methods used by Zanu-PF to manipulate the election could easily be replicated in the region with the danger of reversing the democratic gains made to date.

He said the consequences of the election were regional in nature.

"The July 31 election means that Sadc went one step ahead and two steps back," said Zamchiya.

"However, the real trajectory will depend on what local, regional and international actors do or not do in the face of an apparent slow death of democracy in Zimbabwe with huge implications in the region."

The Oxford University lecturer said civil society organisations (CSOs) must quickly adapt to the new political reality in Zimbabwe and attempt to wrestle the partisanship of State institutions and mobilise citizens to participate in processes as well as hold these institutions accountable.