As Zimbabwe draws close to the harmonized elections on 29 March 2008, politically motivated violence continues albeit at a lower level than in 2007. This report documents widespread and rampant use of violence by members of the various political formations in Zimbabwe especially ZANU (PF) supporters.
Moreover, the report notes that in February, ruling party leaders, particularly President Robert Mugabe, used inflammatory language during their speeches, which amounts to hate speech. For instance during his birthday speech and at rallies he referred to his presidential opponents as traitors and sell-outs, political witches, political prostitutes, political charlatans and two-headed political creatures. He referred to opposition candidate Makoni as “worse than a political prostitute” and likened him to lice that can be easily crushed.
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