The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says local government by-elections held in Matobo and Insiza, Matabeleland Southyesterday were not free and fair after suspected Zanu PF officials prevented the party from freely campaigning.
Local government by-elections were held to fill the vacant seat of ward 4 in Insiza, and ward 4 in Matobo.
CCC supporters came under attack from suspected Zanu PF supporters last week when they were conducting their campaigns, and among the injured is the party candidate for ward 4 in Insiza, Augustine Gumede.
Bulawayo proportional representation MP Jasmine Toffa was also left seriously injured following the brutal attack.
Gumede said he was forced to seek shelter in the bushes after Zanu PF supporters also threatened to kill him.
“I still fear for my life,” Gumede said on Thursday.
“All our supporters are being targeted. They damaged my home, windows were smashed, asbestos destroyed and my vehicle stoned. They also stole food.”
Dube and Daniel Dube (Zanu PF) were the only candidates contesting for the seat in Insiza.
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“On the day in question on Monday, we had a training program for polling agents organised by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).
“We were supposed to bring 8 polling agents each per party and we managed to bring 8 while Zanu PF only managed to bring 4. I suspect they got angry about this because they have no support and decided to resort to violence.”
In Matobo, CCC members also came under attack from armed Zanu PF supporters. Gunshots were reportedly fired.
Four candidates Sindiso Ngwenya (CCC), Liberty Nyirongo (Zapu) and Fredrick Siwela (Zanu PF) were eyeing the vacant ward 4 local government seat.
A villager Mildred Ncube narrated how she was caught in the crossfire.
“I was with my fourteen year old boy coming from Gwanda, travelling to a certain homestead in my car,” Ncube said.
“The road to the homestead was blocked by Zanu PF branded vehicles. Even when I tried to convince them that I was a visitor, they did not take my explanation.
“They smashed the vehicle windscreen and started taking turns to beat me, ordering me to roll on the ground.
"As I speak I am in serious pain from the injuries.”
Ngwenya, the CCC candidate, said he also deserted his home after the orgy of violence.
“We stopped campaigning for fear of our lives. The gang was telling us that they fought for this country. They threatened that if Zanu PF loses elections they will come back to finish us,” Ngwenya said.
"This would be an unfair election.”
Zanu PF Matabeleland South chairperson Mangaliso Ndlovu accused the CCC of stage-managing the attacks saying the ruling party was not violent.
"I can tell you we are dealing with people who when they realise things are not working well, they resort to claims that seek to tarnish Zanu PF's image,” Ndlovu said.
“They say they were shot at, and I want to see the bullet marks on their cars and on them."
Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police were investigating the violence, and no arrests have been made yet.
Independent election watchdog, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said the violence not only dented the credibility of the polls but may affect citizen’s participation in electoral processes.
“Further, political and electoral related violence undermines civil and political rights and affects citizens’ right to compete in electoral processes; erodes trust in democratic processes; undermines the quality of democracy thereby, limiting inclusive participation and leads to voter apathy as it discourages the electorate particularly women and people with disabilities to participate in electoral processes and leadership positions,’’ ZESN said.
"ZESN recommends that perpetrators of violence must be arrested without fear or favour,’’ ZESN said.
