afrol News, 9 May - Election monitors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are worried by the increasing spate of clashes between government and opposition supporters in Zimbabwe, ahead of an election run-off between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Most of the clashes occured in the rural areas, with supporters of both parties blaming each other for igniting attacks.

"The fact that the two parties [Zanu-PF and opposition MDC] accuse each other shows that it is widely acknowledged that the violence is perpetrated from both sides,” said South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Kingsley Mamabolo.

Ambassador Mamabolo said it would be difficult for Zimbabweans to return to the polls in a tense and divided atmosphere.

For the head of the Pan-African government observation mission, Marwick Khumalo, it was about time that the world interven in Zimbawe's political development "before the situation goes out of control."

Under the electoral laws, the electoral commission is mandated to schedule the date of an election run-off within 21 days after the announcement of the results. Though a date is yet to be fixed, both the Pan-African Parliament and United Nations want more international observers to be allowed to monitor the run-off to ensure the highest degree of transparency.

MDC leader has kept mute over his participation in the run-off. His party accused the ruling party militias of killing 30 opposition supporters in the provinces.

A Zimbabwean union leader, Gertrude Hambira, said a total of 40,000 people had been driven off their land as a result of Zanu-PF orchestrated attacks.

"Since the elections we have recorded a total of 40 000 people who have been displaced," said the General Secretary of the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe.

"Our members and their families have been left homeless. They have been attacked by a group of militias wearing army uniforms. They have been accused of voting for the opposition. Most of them are either on the roadside or sheltering at some farms," Hambira said.

Several human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have grilled security forces of complicity in attacks on opposition supporters since 29 March.

However, the army has distanced itself and any of its members from carrying out reported attacks.

Human Rights Watch's Africa Director, Georgette Gagnon, was not at ease with the arrest of a prominent human rights lawyer, Harrison Nkomo.

"The arrest of a leading human rights lawyer may signal the government’s escalation of its crackdown on perceived opponents," said Gagnon.

"It would be unfortunate if Harrison Nkomo became the ‘canary in the coal mine.’ He should be released immediately."

Arrested near his office in central Harare on Wednesday, Nkomo has been held in Harare central police station. He faces criminal charges of "insulting or undermining the authority of the head of state" under the Public Order and Security Act of 2002.

He had recently defended detained journalists, including a correspondent of New York Times, Barry Bearak.

Nkomo has been allegedly hunted for telling a staff member at the Attorney General's Office that President Mugabe should leave office, contrary to the Public Order and Security Act of 2002, which criminalizes criticism of the president, whether his person or his office.

"The ruling party’s continuing brutality against the opposition makes a mockery of the runoff vote. The arrest of a leading human rights lawyer takes the intimidation one step further," Gagnon said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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