Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – With few days left before the watershed elections slated for August 23, violence and intimidations are on the rise in Chiredzi District, with members of the Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ), a Zanu PF affiliate group allegedly being on the lead intimidating, harassing and torturing suspected opposition leaders while some members of the opposition are being threatened with banishment from the resettlement areas, Zimbabwe Peace Project Report recently revealed.
The ZPP report on political violence in Chiredzi south allegedly by Zanu PF aspiring candidate, Joel Sithole indicated that he sent people to physically assault Chilonga Irrigation scheme Chairperson, Vutisani Mushiyi (48) popularly known as Chitomatomani whom they accused of being a staunch Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter.
“Allegedly, Chitomatomani was targeted by the assailants for taking a lead role in the development of Chilonga Irrigation project and connecting water from the main dam to the irrigation project. It is said that he became a threat to the Zanu PF aspiring member of Chiredzi South Joel Sithole as he now commands a huge following because of his proactive initiatives in the irrigation of vegetables and attracting funding partners that have developed the scheme.
“Verified facts suggest that Chitomatomani is targeted by Zanu PF activists for his affiliation to CCC. They said he is likely to use his influence to campaign for the CCC if he is not stopped,” wrote ZPP.
In the same constituency, around 1am on August 16, Sithole was involved in a tussle with Hapious Chikutu, ward 6 CCC aspiring candidate after he came with his campaign vehicle decorated with party colors and symbols, to drop graveyard flowers, with a tag inscribed Chikutu’s name and his wife and a REST IN PEACE text. It was also written ‘be careful’ on the other side.
“Zanu PF Chiredzi South candidate, Joel Sithole came to my house around 1am accompanied by Stephen and Calvin Chauke whom he dropped off some 50 meters from my house.
“They came to my house holding graveyard flowers, with a text inscribed behind which read ‘Be careful’. In its front, there was my name and my wife’s and a Rest in Peace text again. When they were approaching my house, we flashed Stephen Chauke with a torch light, who later dropped the flowers and ran towards their vehicle.
“We pursued them, grabbed Stephen’s collar while he was trying to jump into the vehicle. I later released him as the car was moving towards me and I later made a police report,” said Chikutu.
Efforts to get a comment from the two were futile as Calvin Chauke’s cell was not reachable while Joel Sithole’s went unanswered on several attempts.
In Chiredzi West, Ephius Mpfumba, who is still admitted at Collin Saunders Hospital was nearly stoned to death while on a ladder by Zanu PF activists in ward 16.
In an interview with CCC Cluster leader, Machirairwa Mugidho, she said Mpfumba was taken unconscious from where he fell to the hospital after he was stoned in the face whilst he was on the ladder putting up posters.
“We thank God he is alive. He was taken to the hospital while unconscious after he was stoned by Zanu PF activists while he was putting up campaign posters using a ladder,” said Mugidho.
In Chiredzi East’s resettlement areas, people are threatened that they will be evicted from their farms if they vote for the opposition party.
