
“We Will Crush You Like Lice:” The Spectre of Political Violence in Zimbabwe
The nation of Zimbabwe had by-elections in March 2022 and will host general elections in 2023. In protest of this new electoral regime, political violence has reared its ugly head. Due to their violent tendencies against the political opposition, the cadres of the ruling party, ZANU PF, and the state security agents are associated with the following lexicon: ‘merchants of violence.’ This article illuminates the issues of political violence in Zimbabwe, especially concerning these elections. The article contends that political violence is inimical to free and fair elections, political legitimacy, social cohesion, and the country’s national image and development.




