By Fr. Johnston Mlambo
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) has expressed deep concern over escalating intra-party violence among Zimbabwe’s major political parties, warning that it undermines effective governance and efforts to promote accountability.
The remarks were made today during a meeting organized by the CCJPZ in Harare, which brought together representatives from the government, civic society, and other churches.
The purpose of the meeting was to address pressing challenges facing Zimbabwe across socio-economic, political, environmental, and legal sectors.
The event began with an opening prayer and welcome remarks from Fr. Mgcini Moyo, Deputy Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC).
He emphasized the Church’s role as a moral guide, rooted in principles such as human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, and care for creation.
“As we gather to discuss the situational analysis position paper, we’re reminded of Pope Fransis’ words, ‘The future is not something we enter, but something we build, day by day, through our choices and our actions.’
“Let us build a brighter future for Zimbabwe, guided by justice, peace, and the common good, recognising the inherent dignity and worthy of every human being”, stated the deputy secretary general.
CCJPZ National Coordinator Mr. Paul Muchena presented a situational analysis that reflected a variety of perspectives on peace and development in Zimbabwe.
He acknowledged positive developments, such as increased international cooperation and government re-engagement, particularly through the invitation of international election observers, marking a shift from past practices.
However, Mr. Muchena also expressed concerns over the lack of political will to promote democratic governance and uphold the rule of law.
He noted that intra-party conflicts have intensified since the ruling party’s victory in the 2023 harmonized elections, shifting the focus from inter-party to intra-party divisions.
“The ongoing divisions within the opposition have weakened its ability to mobilize support and effectively hold the government accountable,” he stated.
He added that the recent recalls have further impaired the opposition’s capacity to address critical national issues.
The CCJPZ also highlighted the persistence of political violence, repression, and lack of transparency in governance, which has created an environment of impunity and deterred citizens from exercising their democratic rights.
“This has fostered a culture of fear, preventing meaningful civic participation,” Mr. Muchena remarked.
He further criticized the restricted space for civil society and opposition groups, pointing out limitations on freedoms of assembly, association, and expression, often enforced through draconian laws.
This has resulted in inadequate representation of marginalized communities and a lack of diverse viewpoints in the political sphere.
Corruption was another major issue raised, with public resources being mismanaged and embezzled, worsening poverty and inequality.
“The lack of accountability has entrenched a culture of entitlement among those in power,” Mr. Muchena added.
Regarding socio-economic factors, Mr. Muchena acknowledged some positive developments, including agricultural recovery, infrastructure upgrades, tourism growth, mining sector expansion, and ICT sector growth.
However, he highlighted challenges such as hyperinflation, currency instability, and high unemployment rates—estimated at over 80% overall and 47.1% among youth, according to ZimStat.
These factors have led to widespread poverty, a decline in industrial output, and shortages of essential goods, prompting a massive brain drain as professionals seek better opportunities abroad.
CCJPZ concluded the meeting by calling for stronger efforts to address the nation’s crises through transparent governance, economic stability, and social justice.
Additional details of the meeting will be featured in the next issue of Catholic Church News, set for publication at the end of October.