The Norton By-Elections campaigns have been rocked by a wave of violence and abductions by alleged Zanu Pf youths, it has emerged.
A Zanu PF Mafia team purported to be fronted by, Sheila Mabasa, also known as, “Yondo”, arrived at the residence of Norton Independent campaigner, Ronika Nyikadzino “hunting for her”.Unfortunately the militant Zanu PF group could not locate her but instead ‘abducted’ Nyikadzino’s daughter.
In an interview, Natasha, who is the campaigner’s daughter, narrated her heart- rendering ordeal in the hands of the ruling party’s youths who were wandering in two trucks, chanting, “Temba uchaurayisa vana.”
The youths who forcibly gained entry into Ronika’s home failed to locate Nyikadzino and the Temba Mliswa campaign regalia they were searching for, proceeded to take Ronika’s eighteen (18) year old daughter, Natasha, against her will.
“They came to the house and asked for my mother’s whereabouts. When they found me they forcibly grabbed me and force marched me into one of the trucks. I told them I wanted to change my clothes but two male youths commanded that i change in their presence, so I changed while they were watching.
“I was slapped by two female youths in the process. Before we left they threatened to throw our belongings outside on the basis that my mom has been campaigning for Themba Mliswa.
When we arrived at their base, they started interrogating me about my mother’s relationship with Mliswa. They started beating me in the presence of Ronnie Chindedza (ZANU PF Norton Candidate) and he did not even try to stop the beatings,” she said sobbingly.
While at the base, Natasha was forced to wear a Zanu PF T-shirt before freed being freed from the 12 hour captivity.
Meanwhile, Themba Mliswa, who is running on an Independent ticket for the Norton seat has condemned the violent abduction of Natasha and called for the intervention of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Mliswa said in a statement, “It is with shock and deep concern that I learnt of the abduction of one of my campaigner’s daughter. I squarely condemn in the strongest terms, this cowardly and barbaric abduction of the girl-child which occurred in Calf, Ward 10 in Norton.
“As the Norton ZANU PF Candidate, Ronnie Chindedza is compelled by the Electoral Code of Conduct under Section 7(2) ‘restrain their representatives and supporters, from contravening this Code and any applicable electoral or general law, and must take or initiate appropriate disciplinary action against those who contravene this Code or that law,” said the outspoken former Zanu PF Mashonaland West Provincial Chairman.
He had no kind words for his competitor for the post as he said, “This blatant contravention by Ronnie and his supporters, if proved upon investigation to be founded effectively disqualifies him from the race the Act continues.
“It is abhorred that in this day and age, the ruling party can continue to wantonly terrorize and intimidate those of differing opinions. It becomes even more alarming when the rights of the girl-child and women are violated in such a politically-motivated fashion.
“It would appear that as we fast approach Election Day on the 22nd of October 2016, the incidences of violence perpetrated by ZANU PF are escalating. This politically-motivated violence and intimidation will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form and in the continued absence of the constitutionally mandated Special Liaison Police Officer and Committee I demand that the perpetrators of this heinous act of abduction face the full wrath of the law,” Mliswa added.
