Zimbabweans living in fear amid Mozambique's post-election violence

Zimbabweans living along the border with Mozambique are growing increasingly fearful as post-election violence continues to spread across the neighboring country. Protests have erupted following Mozambique's October 9 elections, which saw the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49-year grip on power, sparking disputes from opposition leaders and their supporters. The protests have led to clashes with security forces, with reports of police using teargas to disperse crowds in Maputo and other urban areas.

In Zimbabwe's Manicaland province, residents in border areas such as Nyanga, Honde Valley, Cashel Valley, and Mutare are particularly on edge. Many of them allege that the ruling Zanu-PF party had a hand in the controversial election outcome, heightening concerns of retaliation or targeting of Zimbabweans living in Mozambique.

Reports suggest that hundreds of Zimbabweans registered to vote in the elections, further deepening fears of a potential backlash.

Muchaenda Korera, a resident of Honde Valley, told NewsDay of his concerns: "I witnessed the Mozambique civil war between Frelimo and Renamo from 1977 to 1992, and those of us who are staying near the border were affected as some of the villagers were killed. What is happening now is of great concern to us."

Similarly, another villager from Chipinge expressed their anxiety over the situation, saying, "We have heard of the reports of violence in Mozambique and we are living in fear that we might be caught in the crossfire."

The fear is compounded by the grim memories of the Mozambican civil war, which led to widespread human rights abuses, including the use of child soldiers and the widespread planting of landmines in the countryside. In the late 1980s, Zimbabwe, alongside neighboring Tanzania and Malawi, sent troops to Mozambique to defend their economic interests against Renamo insurgents.

The current unrest in Mozambique has drawn heightened concern from Zimbabwean authorities. Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, advised Zimbabweans to stay indoors until the violence subsides, urging caution in light of the escalating tensions.

Tawanda Mukodza, Zanu-PF's Manicaland chairperson, sought to reassure residents, saying, "We do not think things will go out of control under the leadership of Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Yes, we share the same border with Mozambique, but we are safe."

However, regional developments suggest otherwise. South Africa, responding to the violence, briefly closed its border with Mozambique after reopening it earlier this week. South African authorities have also advised citizens to delay non-essential trips to Mozambique.

Amnesty International has reported at least 20 deaths, with hundreds more injured or arrested since protests broke out in late October, further escalating tensions in the region.

Zimbabwe will host an Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Harare later this week, where the situation in Mozambique, as well as recent elections in Botswana, will be discussed. The summit, set to take place from November 16 to 20, will also address the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with leaders in the region seeking to find solutions to the growing instability in Mozambique.

As the situation continues to unfold, Zimbabweans living near the border remain anxious, uncertain about the future as violence spills over from Mozambique into their own communities.