STATEMENT: ERC CONDEMNS MURDER OF PASTOR TAPFUMANEYI MASAYA- 15 Nov 2023
The Election Resource Centre- Africa (ERC) condemns the horrendous politically motivated murder of Pastor Tapfumanei Masaya who had been abducted while campaigning ahead of the Mabvuku-Tafara Constituency by-election scheduled for 9 December 2023. We join the Masaya family in mourning the deceased. The ERC joins the calls for stakeholders (ZEC, ZHRC, ZRP, ZANU PF, CCC and supporters) to immediately address the escalating cases of politically motivated violence.
It is concerning that notwithstanding the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance in 2022, there has been a significant increase in the cases of politically motivated violence around election dates. Politically motivated violence has serious consequences for the victims but also negatively affects free, fair and credible elections and Zimbabwe’s democratic trajectory. With evidence that the murder is linked to political participation, the Electoral Act clearly sets out prohibited conduct that could potentially invalidate an election or result in the disqualification of candidates, with politically motivated violence, being one.
Additionally, the ERC cautions against political parties and their members from using the recall provision to settle political differences disregarding the political rights of citizens exercised at the ballot. Recalls have a demobilising effect on the electorate and contributes to the ever increasing voter apathy. Long term the more the recalls happen, the less likely citizens are to participate in elections. A core issue is that the current application of section 129k of the Constitution (recalls) in Zimbabwe is undemocratic. ERC calls on all stakeholders to strive to comply with constitutionalism and respect citizens’ political rights in applying the recall laws and refrain from wonton application of the law that ultimately infringes on the rights of citizens.
The ERC recommends that the Electoral Commission in consultation with electoral stakeholders and political parties must engage on whether the grounds for a free and fair election on 9 December in Mabvuku-Tafara Constituency still exist.
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