The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) has verified an outbreak of intra-party violence in ZANU PF, Epworth on 12 July 2018. The violence happened at the party’s Tembwe offices in Epworth, Ward 4. 13 people were injured. The clashes started at 10:00am and ended around 3:00pm. Witnesses reported that a group of ZANU PF youths from Epworth Ward 7, under the leadership of one Kudakwashe Damson, Gift Kupfirira, Lavet Kwaramba and Peter Kadumbu disrupted a meeting held at Tembwe and accused the people from ward 4 of supporting Zalerah Makari. Makari is the current ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Ward 4 but she is running as an independent. The accusations were then followed by a full swing assault of all Tembwe ZANU PF supporters present.
Of the 13 people injured, 9 of them were arrested. At the time of our visit, the nine were still detained at Harare Central Police Station on charges of inciting public violence. The Forum is representing the victims. Several houses were stoned during the process including that of Obey Matsiko were people had taken refuge. Two of the victims are currently receiving treatment at Harare Hospital.
The Forum encourages all political parties to adhere to the principles of peace, tranquility and adherence to the National Peace Pledge. The Forum encourages all political parties to use dialogue as the only source of dispute resolution.
