Election Violence in Zimbabwe
Human Rights, Politics and Power

Explores the history and significance of election violence in Zimbabwe from the 1980s to the present day.

Vimbai Chaumba Kwashirai (Author)

9781107190818, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 March 2023

320 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.63 kg

'A courageous, detailed and stimulating historical account of election violence in Zimbabwe. Of special merit is Kwashirai's bravery to tackle one of the hottest and riskiest subjects in Zimbabwe's political terrain. This book is a must-read for everyone fighting for a violence-free democratic world!' Takesure Taringana, University of Zimbabwe

The ramifications of election violence in Zimbabwe are huge and ongoing, and the loss of lives in the quest for democratic rights might be regarded as the foremost tragedy of post-colonial Zimbabwe. In this book, Vimbai Chaumba Kwashirai examines the prevalence of electoral violence in Zimbabwe from the early 1980s to the present day. With a range of rich examples, Kwashirai offers a nuanced analysis of the overt and covert forms of violence that have pervaded the country's general elections. While remaining attentive to the specifics of the Zimbabwean political landscape, Kwashirai addresses broader debates in African politics, and shows how insidious violence, ethnic tensions and the weakness of opposition parties serve to undermine democracy across Africa. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, he explores the various ways in which violence can be understood and, crucially, how it might be prevented.

Part I. Violence – a Colonial Curse: The 1980 General Elections
Part II. Zanu PF and PF Zapu Violence: The 1985 General Elections
Part III. New Enemy in the 1990 Elections was Zum
Part IV. Zanu PF on Zanu PF Violence in 1995
Part V. What Presidential Election in 1996?
Part VI. The Movement for Democratic Change was Number 1 Enemy in 2000
Part VII. Presidential Election in 2002
Part VIII. What General Elections in 2005?
Part IX. Disharmony in the 2008 Harmonised Elections
Part X. Violence in the 2013 Elections.

Subject Areas: Political parties [JPL], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Politics & government [JP], Violence in society [JFFE], African history [HBJH]