Zimbabwe: Heightened security, election-related gatherings likely in Mutare through Oct. 22 ahead of and during Ward 18 by-election

Event

Mutare officials will likely maintain a heightened security posture around Mutare through Oct. 22 amid Ward 18's By-elections ( Ward 18 exact location can be found here) caused by the passing of a local councilor Aug. 23. The Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) has given bother the Citizens' Coalition of Change (CCC) and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) parties until Sept. 20 to nominate their candidates. The election comes amid heightened violence between both parties; on Sept. 11, the CCC leader Nelson Chamisa escaped an alleged assassination attempt from a suspected ZANU-PF activist during a political rally in Chinhoyi.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy a heightened security posture in the affected areas. Political violence between the ruling party and the opposition is likely in the short term. Transport, business, and telecommunications disruptions are possible amid significant civil unrest or preemptive security operations.

Context

The opposition party presently holds Mutare's Ward 18 seat, the Citizens' Coalition of Change (CCC), which will be challenged by the ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Further rallies leading to the October 22 election could result in similar levels of violence.

Zimbabwe will hold its general elections in 2023. The ruling ZANU-PF has dominated national elections since the country's independence in 1980. The CCC, created in Jan. 2022, won two-thirds of the seats in the last by-election on March 26, 2022. The campaign saw a surge in violence and the death of at least one opposition supporter.

Pre-election periods are usually tense in Zimbabwe. Clashes regularly occur between opposition supporters and security personnel and between opposing political groups during such gatherings. Most violence is generally directed toward opposition supporters.

Advice

Avoid all protests due to the likelihood of violence. Consider taking alternative routes to circumvent protest-affected areas. If violence breaks out, immediately leave the area and take shelter in a secure, non-governmental building. Monitor local media for details concerning protest activity, as organizers may not announce plans in advance. Follow instructions issued by local authorities.