The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has accused Zanu PF of behaving like a terrorist organisation which unleashes violence and lawlessness with impunity.
This followed Sunday’s attack on CCC members including legislators Daniel Molokele and Kucaca Phulu were violently attacked in Matobo while campaigning ahead of Ward 2 by-elections.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Monday, CCC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said they were worried by the upsurge in politically motivated violence which she said has a bearing on the credibility of the 2023 elections.
“What happened in Matobo yesterday is part of a pattern of conduct on the part of Zanu PF, you will note that our Champion in Chief Advocate Nelson Chamisa cannot go to any rural area without an incident of Zanu PF driven violence and lawlessness, just a few days ago when he went to commiserate with the Nyatsime victims’ families, they attacked our members homesteads.
“We also have similar incidents of violence in Masvingo, Ngundu, Chivi, Wedza, Chiredzi, Zaka, Seke rural, Nyamaropa, Chipinge, Hurungwe, Karoi, Gokwe Centre and recently Gokwe Kabuyuni.
“The position of CCC is that we want elections and not war, we condemn the outright lawlessness that is being displayed by Zanu PF with impunity, with all due respect, they are behaving like terrorists organisation, murderers or thugs,” said Mahere.
She however said the violence unleashed on CCC members by Zanu PF will not stop the winds of change sweeping the country ahead of the watershed polls set for 2023.
“The opposition party is worried about the surging of politically motivated violence in different parts of the country which has a huge bearing in terms of the outcome of the 2023 elections, however no amount of violence will stop the winds of change,” Mahere said.
Meanwhile, human rights advocacy group, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has since condemned the Matobo violence saying unless bold steps are taken now the period ahead is going to be very violent and limit the free participation of citizens and political parties of their choice.
“These are early warning signs of a violent election in 2023 which need to be urgently addressed. It makes no sense for leaders to just speak of peace and not rein in their supporters when they perpetrate violence most likely to affect the environment in the run up to the 2023 elections,” ZPP said in a statement.
Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has said they were seized with reports of the Matobo skirmishes adding that investigations are underway.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is seized with reports of violent skirmishes which occured in Matobo on 16th October 2022. Reports of assault and violence have been received from both Zanu PF and Citizen Coalition for Change members,” said Nyathi.
