The United Nations has said that the inclusive government is “incapable of conducting an electoral process that is free of violence.”

The revelations are contained in the Consolidated Appeal (CAP) launched by OCHA on Monday.

“Politically, general elections expected in 24 months may result in internal competition and renewed violence and human rights abuses as the parties to the inclusive government try gaining popularity by discrediting their rivals,” said OCHA.

Speaking at launch of the CAP in Harare, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Agostinho Zacarias said the government had expressed concern on some aspects contained in the CAP document.

He said OCHA had received a letter from Regional Integration and International Co-operation minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who was present at the launch, in which the government had raised its reservations.

“We note with disappointment lack of good faith and trust in the efforts of the inclusive government exhibited in the document by the co-operating partners particularly the reference that the inclusive government is incapable to conducting an electoral process free of violence in our view would be criticism that drive the building and strengthening the institutions of government which would facilitate for holding of elections free of nay violence,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said in the letter.

“The government of Zimbabwe feels that there are some assertions in the document that have not been accurately presented and/or substantiated. Whilst we support the Consolidated Appeal process we want it noted for the record that the Government of Zimbabwe disassociates itself from the unsubstantiated assertions until such a time that they are substantiated,” said Misihairabwi-Mushonga said in the letter.

She said government was seeking an urgent meeting with OCHA to resolve these issues.

The government was concerned that the document mentions says that at least 215 000 mobile and vulnerable persons (MVP) and about 36 000 victims of political violence (VPV) internally displaced persons were being assisted by humanitarian organizations, without evidence of the numbers and the locations of the internally displaced persons.

“Whilst we acknowledge the various circumstances that could have led to the displacement of persons in particular the displacement of persons due to the violence leading to the June 2008 elections, in light of the above it would be inappropriate for the Government of Zimbabwe to associate itself with the comments reflected in some excepts in the document.

“While we acknowledge the existence of mobile and vulnerable populations and political violence victims we are of the opinion that while this figure may have been appropriate at some point in 2008, this is no longer the case and seek substantiation on the matter,” said Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

OCHA said victims of political violence have yet to receive any effective remedies, therefore creating a culture of impunity.

“There continue to be reports of retributive violence, mainly in rural areas, particularly where attempts at reconciliation through traditional forms of justice have failed,” said OCHA.

Government denied the existence of violence saying that “the alleged continued report of the alleged retributive violence and politically motivated abductions should be substantiated in detail. The inclusive government is committed to addressing the issues raised which is difficult without substantiated.”

OCHA noted “instances of abuse of police powers such as arrest and political interference with the work of the Attorney General’s Office.”

“Recent months have seen a number of politically-motivated abductions and related abuse of court process by state officers, invoking powers for further detention without lawful grounds,” said OCHA.