Zanu-PF, MDC-T factionalism major cause of violence

Widespread factionalism in both Zanu-PF and MDC formations has been singled out as the major contributor to politically motivated violence this year, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has said.

Speaking during a human rights discussion forum on Wednesday organised by @263Chart, ZPP director Jestina Mukoko said people were now fighting because of different opinions within same political formations.

"As of 2015, they have realised that the major cause of violence is factionalism within Zanu-PF and MDCs," Mukoko said.

They have seen that the expulsion of 21 MDC Renewal Team members has brought in a number of incidences we have recorded. She, however, conceded that politically motivated incidences were decreasing, ranging on an average of 150 cases a month so far this year.

What they have noted in terms of numbers is that the incidences have gone down as compared to prior years," Mukoko said.

She said ZPP was concerned about the political situation in Hurungwe West where Zanu-PF was accused of sponsoring terror against supporters of independent candidate Temba Mliswa as well as the abduction of activist Itai Dzamara.