POLITICAL CONTESTATIONS AS PART OF THE HUMAN SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEBATE: A CASE STUDY OF BUHERA SOUTH, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

This article focuses on the concept of human security and political contestations in Zimbabwe. It analyses how political electioneering and political violence affected development in Zimbabwe since 1980. While the war of liberation was fought to end discrimination in all its forms, the coming of black majority rule did not immediately bring the desired results of freedom and equality. Rather, it brought new forms of violence as the victors usurped institutions to the detriment of the democratic ideals fought for. While the new system led to negative peace, it was detrimental to positive peace that aims at building sustainability to the development discourse. This study is a qualitative study drawing data from desktop research, interviews and focus group discussions. The central argument is that violence has been a major affront to human security, thereby affecting development. The study deploys the human security theory to unmask political violence and development processes. It leans towards the pursuit of human security to achieve development and as an approach to conflict resolution and peace-building. This can help Zimbabwe to achieve its human development goals. The article recommends that governments and political parties must strive to achieve peace, human security and development.