MDC are liars: Langa

Politics
ZANU PF in Matabeleland South yesterday denied reports that its members issued death threats to an MDC councillor in Insiza North

ZANU PF in Matabeleland South yesterday denied reports that its members issued death threats to an MDC councillor in Insiza North resulting in him fleeing his homestead.

Report by Nduduzo Tshuma

MDC wrote to Jomic on Sunday complaining that its Insiza North councillor had been issued with death threats.

But Zanu PF Insiza North MP Andrew Langa said Jomic was free to go and investigate the reports as there had never been any incidents of violence.

“That’s not true. Zanu PF is an organised and peaceful party that respects the rule of law and will win elections,” he said. “We have a clear policy of non-violence as a province, in line with that of President Robert Mugabe.”

Langa, who is the Matabeleland South Zanu PF chairman and has been fingered as responsible for the threats, said it was impossible for him to condone violence as he could not win an election by intimidating voters.

Langa insisted that there had not been a single incident of violence in the area.

“Since the MDC has written to Jomic, the organisation is free to come and investigate the matter so that we know who is lying and who is not,” he said.

“I would like to urge the MDC to stop portraying our country as a violent nation to further their interests. That is wrong.”

On Sunday, MDC secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga wrote to Jomic complaining about the intimidation of the party supporters in the area by alleged Zanu PF activists and the arrest of its members while conducting door-to-door campaigns at the weekend.

In a letter dated June 9, Misihairabwi-Mushonga said Zanu PF activists sent Nqaba Khumalo, their councillor for Ward 21, threatening messages, ordering him to leave his homestead.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said Khumalo fled from his homestead and walked for more than 20km during the night to seek refuge from a relative.