Organisation To Fight Political Violence

Bulawayo –May 15 2009-

An organization geared at fighting all forms of political violence in Zimbabwe known as the Zimbabwe Smart Politics Campaign (ZSPC) has been launched in the country.

In an interview ZSPC chairperson, Retired Liet. Col. Moses Dendere, who is based in the United Kingdom said the organization was formed by Zimbabweans in the diaspora who escaped political violence before and during the build up to the June 27, 2008 presidential run-off elections.
“After receiving a lot of inquiries from victims of political violence in and out of Zimbabwe we decided to launch an organization that will help in the process of national healing as well as trying to stop political violence in future elections in Zimbabwe,” said Dendere who was Director of elections for the Mavambo Project under Dr Simba Makoni.
Dendere left Zimbabwe on June 27 last year after releasing a 10 page document analyzing the 2008 elections with special focus on violence durinng the build up to the presidential run-off elections. Dendere accompanied a team of retired South African generals to several parts of Zimbabwe who were sent to by President Thabo Mbeki to investigate reports of political violence during the build up to the presidential run-off elections. Dendere had subsequently been placed on the wanted list by the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO).

The organization which has trustees based in Zimbabwe aims among other things to educate citizens of their political rights and how to avoid being manipulated and abused by political parties. Dendere said ZSPC would also raise funds to assist victims of political violence and would work closely with the three ministers of national healing in the inclusive government.

“ZSPC is an apolitical organization that will work with citizens of Zimbabwe from all political formations. Our aim is to promote permanent peace and assist victims of politically motivated violence whenever it resurfaces in Zimbabwe. We are disturbed by the reports of fresh farm invasions which in some cases have resulted in politically motivated violence and we are appealing to the three principals to speedily resolve the matter.”
Scores of victims of politically motivated violence mostly in the rural areas of Zimbabwe who lost their family members, and property and some who were injured have not received any assistance as the national healing process is yet to get off the ground. Cases of people being victimized for their political allegiance are still being reported in some rural areas of Zimbabwe with no meaningful intervention from the authorities.