THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has sent a team of investigators to Hurungwe in Mashonaland West to look into reports of political violence ahead of the by-election in the constituency.
The constituency has been turned into a war zone as suspected Zanu PF have launched an offensive against supporters of ousted former provincial chairperson Temba Mliswa.
Mliswa is standing as a independent candidate seeking a ticket to return to parliament after he was recalled from the National Assembly after he was expelled from the ruling party on charges of undermining the party’s leadership.
Speaking to journalists on the side-lines of the stakeholder consultative meeting in Bulawayo last week, ZHRC Deputy Chairperson Dr Ellen Sithole confirmed the development.
“We are also dealing with recent Issues to do with electoral related violence in Karoi. Our officers and our chairperson actually went to Hurungwe on Friday. They are still compiling an investigation report which will be used to determine the fate of the matter,” she said.
However, the case might not be handled before the June 10 mini election, after Dr Sithole revealed that the commission takes up to 30 days to look into the case.
“If it’s urgent we look at it on urgent basis but normally cases take up to 30 days because as commissioners we meet once in a month. As for this one I would think the matter is urgent but we will have to see how we are going to handle it since I was not on the ground,” said Dr Sithole.
Mliswa has been on the news saying his former party is trying to frustrate his efforts to make an early return to parliament.
Mliswa will battle it out for the Hurungwe West constituency with Zanu PF’s Keith Guzah.
