A leading Zimbabwe Human Rights lawyer on Wednesday called for urgent regional action to save the country from sliding back into chaos, amid growing fears of a major upsurge in violence and tension in the rural areas.

Dewa Mavhinga told us the escalation of violence in the country should be one of the central issues and themes discussed by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and the three principals to the Global Political Agreement.

'The reason why this issue should be on the agenda is because the resurgence of state sponsored violence across the country has not changed despite the formation of the inclusive government. There is so much evidence that the country has not moved beyond the old days of ZANU PF's use of violence to intimidate voters,' Mavhinga said.

MDC's deputy national organizing secretary, Morgan Komichi, confirmed that ZANU PF violence was increasing as the former ruling party goes about shoring up its support ahead of elections. These are expected to take place either once a new constitution has been agreed or, as Mugabe has said, whether there is a new constitution or not.

'What is happening is that ZANU-PF is rolling out its machinery of violence in order to intimidate the population ahead of the constitution making-process; it is a constitutional battle,' Komichi said.

Political violence has become ZANU PF's modus operandi against perceived opponents, especially during election periods. Analysts believe that violence in the country would come to a stop if Mugabe told his supporters to refrain from it. Although Mugabe is on record acknowledging the existence of political violence, he has always stopped short of blaming it on his own supporters.

'Mugabe's calls last year for people to observe peace and promote ideals of national healing and reconciliation were disingenuous because his supporters have not stopped the mayhem in rural areas,' Mavhinga said, adding that Zimbabwe cannot afford another violence ridden, non credible election.

'The country cannot also afford to limp on like this without resolving the political crisis in a sustainable way. The only way out is for SADC and Zuma as the mediator to ensure that they put in place sufficient reforms and a credible electoral system that can ensure there is no violence in any future election in the country,' Mavhinga said.