Own Correspondent|Human rights defenders have expressed concern at the escalating cases of political violence and intimidation of perceived Zanu PF opponents before the harmonized elections.

Several opposition activists have been targeted by the Zanu PF regime as the nation braces for the coming crucial polls pitting Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa against young MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa.

Opposition activists Sazini Chaya, Arnold Batirai- Dube, Godfrey Kurauone and Beulah Maguru have been victimized by the regime over the past month.

Known members of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organization abducted and illegally held MDC Alliance Youth Assembly member Panashe Chaya and three opposition activists on Sunday.

The four were abducted in the Zimunya area, Manicaland Province.

A few days ago Chaya was also arrested for allegedly plotting to remove Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa from power.

According to the MDC Alliance, the four were bundled into an unmarked Isuzu vehicle by men brandishing guns.

The MDC Alliance has also strongly condemned the persecution of its members by Zanu PF.

“Chaya and three opposition activists were bundled into an unmarked vehicle by CIO agents who blindfolded them. They were then driven to a secluded place where they were illegally held and questioned.

The State security agents accused Chaya and his team of influencing local villagers to vote for President Chamisa. Zanu PF is afraid of the coming elections and its members have resorted to violence in a bid to cow us into submission.

We are worried about the harassment of our members by the system. We have received cases of harassment and intimidation of our members countryside,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.

After illegally holding them, the CIO agents dumped the four at a roadside on Monday morning in the same area.

Chaya sustained head injuries and had fresh bruises on his face, arm and legs after the attack.

Chaya was targeted because he presented a foreign ID (a Canadian drivers license) to identify himself after a ‘random’ traffic stop by the police.

“Chaya did not stay long in hospital as he was afraid the Zanu PF agents would come after him,” a source told ZimEye.com.

MDC Alliance Youth Assembly organising secretary Morgan Ncube described the abduction and torture of opposition members as barbaric and unacceptable.

Ncube also urged the international community to reprimand Zanu PF over the harassment of opposition members.

“We have received information about the harassment of our Youth Assembly member Panashe Chaya and his colleagues by the Zanu PF regime.

Actually there are several reports of our members who are being terrorized by the regime.

In this era, stone age political tactics do not work.

We have learnt that the new dispensation is actually a continuation of the old order. Nothing has changed,” said Ncube.

Mnangagwa promised that under his so called new dispensation he would uphold the rule of law and abide by the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

However, in typical crocodile behaviour, Mnangagwa is doing the exact opposite.

The Zanu PF leader faces stiff competition from President Chamisa in the coming polls.

More…..

MDC USA Backs Chamisa

Terrence Mawawa

The MDC USA Branch has issued a statement indicating its unwavering support for party president Nelson Chamisa.

“For the record, the former vice president of the MDC T, Thokozani Khupe, was expelled from the party on March 23 2018 following the resolution of the MDC-T National Council.

In addition, the former MDC-T USA executive led by Den Moyo was also disbanded and expelled,” said Zvidzai Ruzvidzo, the MDC USA Chairperson.

“It is on record that they refused to recognize Advocate Nelson Chamisa as the President of the MDC T.

The decisions of National Council of the MDC T were based on Articles 16 and 18 of the MDC ‘T’ Constitution of 2014.

By the authority and permission of the National Leadership, the current Executive of the MDC T USA was formed on April 8, 2018.

The new Provincial Executive and MDC ‘T’ members in USA disassociate themselves from Dr. Khupe’s alleged Congress on April 21, 2018.

We call on our members and well wishers to continue with their support for the MDC T led by Advocate Chamisa.

All other pretenders are illegal,” he added.