Zanu PF at it again

The police have for the past two weeks arrested scores of MDC supporters across the country on trumped-up charges in a worrying partisan move as cases of Zanu PF-instigated violence against MDC members are on the increase. 

Reports coming in show that, 10 MDC supporters from Mutasa North are detained at Mutare Remand Prison in Manicaland province after they were arrested last week on trumped-up political violence charges. 

The 10 are; Godfrey Samhare, Enerst Maringa, Masai Mandeya, Noah Mwamuka, Agnes Mtetwa, Zvishamiso Mandeya, Tendai Mawende, Michael Mheredza, Luckson Samhere and Lovemore Zvarevamambo.   

Another 12 from the same area are facing the same charges and are detained at Ruda Police Station in Mutasa and are yet to appear in court despite being in police custody for two weeks. 

The 12 are;  Enia Mawende, Maria Sigauke, Melody Mabvirakare, Listen Shoko, Violet Mose, Martha Mushunje, Tedy Mwamuka, Barbra Bote, Maria Nyamunda, Cecilia Matere, Agnes Tumbakonde and Florence Kamundimu.  One of the arrested women is pregnant. 

They are being held under bad conditions at Ruda police station and are being charged with violence and disturbing a Zanu PF rally in the area. Mutasa North MP, Hon. David Chimhini said he was worried by the selective application of the law. 

“There is a selective application of the law because serious and worse things have happened and we have evidence of real political violence in Ward 4 in Mandeya, where people were brutalised and beaten up by known soldiers. But the people have not been arrested.” 

There are similar reports of an upsurge of violence in other rural areas, such as in Mudzi in Mashonaland East and in Masvingo. The violence has been initiated by Zanu PF ahead of the forthcoming Constitutional outreach programmes.

In Epworth, Harare, two MDC youth activists were seriously injured in a hit-and-run on Saturday while walking off the roadway. Alice Banda and Rutendo Bvute were taken to hospital and are sure that it was a punishment attack by the Zanu PF militia. 

Banda has a deep head wound, now with eight stitches, severe grazing on her right shoulder, and extensive bruising while Bvuke has a dislocated shoulder and elbow.The pair had just distributed clothes to some Epworth youths.

Another MDC activist, Arefa Muronda was attacked and wounded on Monday by six Zanu PF youths at Golden Valley mine in Kadoma for wearing MDC party regalia.  The Zanu PF thugs were led by Shepard Tinashe Marimanyika. 

Meanwhile, in Epworth and Harare South, Zanu PF militia bases have been re-opened under the guise of licensed wood-selling businesses, run by Zanu PF youths.   

The bases are: Donoro in Ward 2, Harare South; in Epworth Ward 7 – Garakara and Mai Mawire, Ward 6 – Makandira, Ward 5 – Kadumbu and Solani, and Ward 4 – Reuben.

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