…as the by elections date looms above
Rutendo Chirume
As the by-elections looms, female candidates continue to suffer different forms of abuse from their male counterparts.
Recently Citizens Coalition for Change’ Thokozile Muchuchuti who is eyeing Masvingo urban ward four seat was victimized and forced to withdraw her candidature , which she refused, to pave way for the ‘preferred’ candidate Alec Tabe.
Another case of women abuse occurred in ward seven of Masvingo urban where Labour Economists and African Democrats candidate Everjoy Chidindi claimed to have been verbally assaulted by Zanu PF candidate Prosper Dohwai and his supporters.
Chidindi told TellZim News that she was threatened in a social media group where her opponents felt intimidated and uncomfortable due to her popularity and cheering she was getting from the group participants so they resorted to bullying and threatening her.
“I no longer feel safe in my community when I am publicly being bullied and threatened. My opponents felt intimidated and uncomfortable due to the popularity I got in the group after my campaign manager sent my flier,” said Chidindi
She said she reported the matter to the Zimbabwe electoral body which called for a hearing where Dohwai was cautioned.
“After I reported the matter, ZEC arranged a hearing for Mr Dohwai, I am glad the matter has been resolved and he acknowledged that his supporters were wrong so he apologized,” said Chidindi
However, ZEC District Elections Officer Gertrude Murumbi could neither confirm nor deny having called for the hearing saying the information was classified but she went on to warn to engage in a peaceful manner
“I am not allowed to disclose information of the case, it was between them but we urge all candidates to maintain peace and harmony during by elections,” said Murumbi.
Dohwai however, said Chidindi invaded Zanu PF private territory because the flier was initially send to a Zanu PF WhatsApp group but do not stop anyone from campaigning since they will be exercising their right.
“Chidindi is the one who have wronged us because she was invading in our private Zanu PF group. Whoever sends her the screenshots was being nuisance and plaguing into our private place because for what I know is that it was a Zanu PF platform. We do not block any candidate from launching their campaigns because they have that right but we will not tolerate campaigns in a Zanu PF group,” said Dohwai.
