Opposition parties should be peaceful

Political parties, candidates and non-party campaigners are vital to a healthy democracy. However, these political outfits and campaigners must be peaceful when carrying out their political activities such as demonstrations, rallies or any other political gatherings or the security forces are engaged to protect the rights of all citizens. This is the practice the world over and Zimbabwe is no exception.

National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA), an umbrella term for opposition parties are calling for government to implement electoral reforms before 2018 harmonised elections, and to that end are planning to hold a rally tomorrow. However, NERA Zimbabwe recently complained through its tweeter handle @NeraZimbabwe that Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) only deploys security officers when there is an opposition demonstration or rally, at the expense of demonstrations by the ruling party, ZANU-PF.

The NERA tweet reads, "#When ZANU-PF demonstrate against itself, #statepolice is not there, but when the people demonstrate against government, it deploys armed battalions."

Previous demonstrations by NERA have confirmed that these opposition parties are violent. Some school of thought points out that electoral violence can be a recurrent phenomenon, and is especially likely to take place in new democracies. If earlier demonstrations by NERA were packed with destruction of property such as vehicles and buildings as well as looting goods in shops, it is necessary for security forces to put measures that do not disturb peace and stability of citizens.

What NERA is not aware of is that electoral violence can endanger democracy itself. If members of NERA fail to abide by the police regulations, they end up violating others' democratic rights. Following NERA's feedback rally scheduled for this Wednesday, it is reported that police have moved their proposed venue, Africa Unity Square to the open space, opposite Harare show grounds.  Members of NERA should be encouraged to follow ZRP orders to avoid being totally banned from holding the rally.

On the other hand, there have been demonstrations by revolutionary party members in some parts of the country. These demonstrations have been carried out peacefully. No reports of violence have been mentioned, depicting that the ruling party is an organized and mature party.

Recently, top officials from former Vice President Joyce     Mujuru's opposition National People's Party were involved in a nasty public fight. Opposition parties should know that charity begins at home. It is a shame for party officials to embroil themselves in public fights. Actually, party officials from both opposition and ruling party should educate their supporters on the dangers of political violence.  It is imperative to note that political violence begets political violence into a vicious circle that does not benefit anyone.

There is also some truth to the idea that political violence negates law and order. When people are given the liberty to demonstrate, without being monitored, they end up abusing that democratic right. Politically motivated violence also impact negatively in terms of economic development. Which investor would be comfortable in pouring in money in an unstable environment? None.

Apart from the fact that political violence affects democracy and economic growth, it is also an ill wind of social events, which blows no one any good. In its aftermaths both perpetrators and victims of violence are losers. Members of security forces should discourage the culture of impunity by opposition members that encourages political violence.