Zanu-PF Youth Leader's Murder: New Details Emerge
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Setting the Record Straight
The Zimbabwe Peace Project wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the murder that took place in Chiwundura on March 19. Claudias Chikope a Zanu PF youth leader in Zaloba area of Chiwundura is reported to have been murdered in cold blood by Washington Mtetwa. The unfortunate and sad incident went viral on social media as a politically motivated incident. However, after visiting Zaloba and also speaking to the police who are investigating the murder, the facts are that a dispute ensued between the deceased and Mtetwa at a local bar when the latter accused Chikope of having an affair with his wife. The immediate circumstances surrounding the attack are therefore not politically motivated. Midlands Provincial Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed that the matter was a domestic dispute and a man-hunt for the perpetrator is ongoing as are investigations.
The matter had been reported as Zanu PF supporters who had fought a over party candidates for primary elections. The suspect Mtetwa is still on the run.
As the country goes for the 2018 elections the ZPP cautions against deliberate false alarm and politicisation of ordinary domestic and social disputes as this has the effect of unnecessarily heightening political tensions and potentially fuelling more political violence. It is a fact that a murder remains a murder whether politically motivated or not but when tempers flare in political circles the results could mar the political environment around elections which the ZPP expects to be conducive for free, fair and credible elections.
We continue to encourage citizens to report all cases of human rights violations, political and/ electoral violence to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, which has established a National Elections Command, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. Citizens are also encouraged to alert the Zimbabwe Peace Project of any incidents in your area.
ZPP is a Non Governmental Organization that was founded in 2000 by a group of faith based and human rights NGOs working and interested in human rights and peace-building initiatives. ZPP has become a vehicle for civic interventions in times of political crises. In particular, ZPP seeks to monitor and document incidents of human rights violations and breaches of peace.
If you are concerned about acts of violence in your community, ZPP encourages you to get in touch with us on Hotline and WhatsApp numbers
+263 774 883 406 and +263 774 883 417
Toll Free: 080 80199