Fear of political violence drops sharply among Zimbabweans

A new report by Afrobarometer has revealed a sharp decline in the fear of politically motivated violence among Zimbabweans, signalling growing public confidence in the country's electoral environment despite lingering concerns over election integrity.

According to the continental public opinion research network, only about one in three Zimbabweans now say they fear violence during elections - a significant drop from 80% recorded in 2009.

Afrobarometer attributed the decline in fear partly to the relatively peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections, which saw fewer violent incidents compared to previous polls.

"The fear of political intimidation or violence during election campaigns has declined markedly, from roughly four-fifths of the population in 2009 to fewer than one-third in 2024, while a growing share of citizens feel free to choose whom to vote for without pressure," the report stated.

The findings mark a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that followed the disputed 2008 elections, when state-sponsored violence rocked the country. That period saw widespread human rights violations under Operation Makavhotera Papi? ("Where did you put your vote?"), which targeted opposition supporters after then-President Robert Mugabe lost the first round of voting to pro-democracy leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Thousands were reportedly killed, and horrific incidents - including reports of people's hands being chopped off - drew global condemnation from human rights watchdogs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

While the Afrobarometer report highlights encouraging progress toward a less fearful electorate, it also underscores persistent doubts about the transparency of Zimbabwe's electoral processes.

"Only about half of survey participants trust the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)," the report noted.

The ZEC, responsible for managing national elections, has for years faced criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations for alleged bias in favour of the ruling Zanu-PF party, which has governed the country since independence in 1980.

Political analysts say the decline in fear reflects both changing political dynamics and generational shifts among voters, but warn that true democratic consolidation will require stronger institutions and greater public trust in electoral bodies.

Afrobarometer's findings offer a cautiously optimistic picture of Zimbabwe's evolving political climate - one where citizens increasingly feel safe to participate in elections, but still question whether their votes truly count.