Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo

It seems the claims that reports of kidnapping and beheading of children have political connotations hold water after all.

While some alarmists strongly believe the reports are true, political analysts argue that Zanu PF has mooted a ploy to declare a state of emergency in the country – thereby suspending the holding of elections.

Speaking in an interview with ZimEye.com, Masvingo Centre for Research and Community Development (MACRAD) Director, Aleck Tabe said villagers were no longer participating in voter registration programmes as a result of social media reports about rapists and rituals murderers.

“Our programmes in Chivi District have been severely dented by the reports of kidnapping and beheading of children.

We are struggling to mobilise villagers to participate in our programmes because they are extremely afraid of the said rapists and ritual murderers.

We call on the police to get to the bottom of the matter as a matter of urgency,” said Tabe.