Clientelism, political intimidation and vote buying become a structural phenomenon

The Zimbabwe Peace Projected has claimed that clientelism, political intimidation and vote buying in Zimbabwe have become a structural
phenomenon, part of the local political culture as demonstrated in the by-elections that have taken place this year.

The organisation said in most cases campaign irregularities are targeted at the urban and rural poor who have limited access to resources like land and basic commodities like food.

"The Norton pre-election environment points to a disturbing trend of vote buying and intimidation which is a dangerous precursor to the 2018 elections. The trend has been noted in most of the by-elections that have taken place between 2013 and 2016. The by-elections were largely necessitated by the MDC-T booting out members of parliament that had defected to People's Democratic Party (PDP) and dismissal of Zanu-PF legislators that were accused of joining Joice Mujuru's faction," ZPP said.

"ZPP has, through its monitoring mechanisms, realised that some of the elections have not been marked by overt physical violence but almost all have recorded a large number of cases of intimidation, harassment and discrimination prior to a by-election. ZPP has noted that the use of intimidation has been juxtaposed to clientelism and vote buying. The ruling Zanu-PF has created and sustained a complex web through which ruling party officials (as patrons) offer land and food to voters (clients) in exchange for votes and political support."

ZPP said voters who share opposing views or are suspected to be sharing opposing views are denied access to land and food.

"Zanu-PF officials in most cases took advantage of their access to food aid, agricultural inputs and residential stands to lure voters. This was the case in the
Norton by-election where independent candidate Temba Mliswa won the election against Ronald Chindedza of Zanu-PF and David Choga from the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in an election marked by interparty violence, intimidation, discrimination, abduction and assault. Prior to the election, ZPP noted various cases of vote buying through the use of food aid and residential stands. Food aid and residential stands were distributed and witnessed by senior government and ruling party officials and benefitted only Zanu-PF supporters," said ZPP.

"The by-elections across the country have set a bad precedent ahead of the 2018 elections and have also heightened political tensions. Previous elections have been characterized by overt violence but the covert forms of violence which characterized some by-elections are equally worrying as the intimidation can escalate to open violence. The use of residential stands and food also distorts the electoral field and denies those in need (but with differing political views) equal access to much needed resources."

ZPP said in spite of the violations related to the Norton by-election, ZPP recorded a sharp drop of 655 victims of politically motivated violence from 1320 in September and 1416 in August.

"The drop resonates with the June and July statistics that stood at 356 and 647 victims respectively. The violations documented at provincial level also show that there has been a decrease. During the month of October nine provinces reported less than 30 cases with Mashonaland West reporting the highest violations ranging between 30 and 60 cases. In August, however, seven provinces reported less than 30 violations and in September there were six. During August and September Harare had the highest violations as over 90 cases were reported during both months," ZPP said.

"While the victims by political party have not remained constant, MDC-T has had its members as the majority of victims. In August MDC-T had 13.5% victims and in October the number has grown by 5.1% while Zim-PF victims have reduced from 6.4% in August to 2.1% in October. Zanu-PF victims have also reduced from a constant 2% in August and September to 0.8% in October."

ZPP said the list of identified perpetrators still comprises of groups such as war veterans, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO).

"This month ZRP perpetrated 6.1% of reported violations as compared to
34.2% in August and 46.7% in September. ZNA as perpetrators also reduced from 8.3% inCases where the freedom of assembly, expression and association are violated where high in October partially because of the interruptions that were witnessed at public hearings," ZPP said.

"The Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio Committee led by Hon Jessie Majome held the public hearings that were facilitated by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) after it led the filing of a petition on electoral reforms in parliament. Gwanda and Gweru reported peaceful meetings while the ones held in Bulawayo, Mutoko and Mutare were disrupted by mainly Zanu-PF supporters."