By Lionel Saungweme | Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have blocked a road that leads to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices, next to Gifford High School, in Bulawayo. Anti-riot police, wielding AK47 rifles, have blocked 16th Avenue between Golway and Angus Road in Famona suburb.

The barricade coincides with journalist Edmund Kudzai’s exposure of ZEC Chair, Priscilla Chigumba’s alleged sexual relationship with Minister of Mines, Winston Chitando. It also coincides with a Friday 20 November 2018 deadline by Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance President Nelson Chamisa for ZEC to attend to Chigumba’s alleged partiality, credibility of the voters’ roll and printing of the ballot paper amongst other disputed issues.

As to whether the blockade is connected to Chigumba’s alleged sex scandal and or the MDC Alliance’s qualms with ZEC remains to be seen. However, a Famona resident who refused to be identified for fear of victimisation by Government said, “I don’t want to be shot at. I have nothing to do with politics.”

ZEC Commissioner, Qhubani Moyo, switched off his phone when contacted for a comment.

Assistant Inspector Ncube, who stood in for ZRP Bulawayo Public Relations Officer, Inspector Precious Simango, ducked questions. “I am not aware of that (bloackade). I am driving. Let me find out,” Ncube said. However, as pictures ZimEye reveal show, the blockade cannot be denied.