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Herald Reporter
MDC-T’s long-time Western allies have condemned recent physical attacks on party leaders. Party thugs last month assaulted deputy treasurer-general Mr Elton Mangoma and youth leader Mr Promise Mkwananzi outside MDC-T’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare. Secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti and another youth leader, Mr Solomon Madzore narrowly escaped the beating, which reportedly occurred as party president Mr Morgan Tsvangira looked on.
This was after Mr Mangoma wrote a letter calling for leadership renewal following MDC-T’s repeated losses to President Mugabe and Zanu-PF in elections since 2000.
In a statement on Monday, Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Matthew Nieuhaus said violence and intimidation were unacceptable.
“The Australian Embassy joins other embassies, civil society organisations and concerned Zimbabwean citizens in expressing deep dismay at recent incidents of violence directed against members of political parties in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The use of violence and intimidation to pursue political means is unacceptable, and must not be tolerated. It remains essential that all of Zimbabwe’s political parties make every effort to ensure the prevention of violent acts. We urge all of Zimbabwe’s political parties to fully respect — within their parties and the nation — the rule of law, right to free speech, freedom of assembly and other democratic freedoms which need to be at the heart of the Zimbabwean political discourse.”
The United States Embassy added: “We condemn such acts of violence, which have no place in modern political discourse. We enjoin all parties to respect the rule of law, freedom of assembly and the right to free speech, which should be the hallmarks of a modern, democratic Zimbabwe.”
The European Union, through its chief diplomat here, Mr Aldo Dell’ Ariccia, insinuated last week that MDC-T was acting in an uncivilised manner.
“The point is there should be healthy democratic processes in each party and we are convinced that it is wise that all parties have internal democratic dynamics but what is unacceptable is when internal debate degenerates into violence.”
Canada’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lisa Stadelbauer said they were increasingly concerned by violence against politicians.
“We call on all political parties to demonstrate leadership by taking resolute actions to speak out against violence and intimidation,” she said.
“This includes engaging in open dialogue and demonstrating respect for diversity of views.”
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