Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. By Staff Reporter – THE Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has implored Zanu PF to desist from acts of violence against the opposition activists.
On Wednesday afternoon, suspected Zanu PF youths clad in the ruling party’s regalia attempted to block opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s convoy heading for Nyanga from Mutare both in Manicaland province.
On Tuesday, the MDC Alliance said its president had escaped death by a whisker after suspected Zanu PF militia fired gunshots into a vehicle that he was travelling in.
“We are concerned over reports of an assassination attempt on the MDC Alliance leader in Manicaland on October 19, 2021,” the umbrella body of civic society organisation’s spokesperson, Marvellous Kumalo said.
“Reports indicate that armed Zanu PF youths intercepted the opposition leader’s convoy and fired gunshots at his vehicle.
“The incident follows another attack against the opposition leader by alleged Zanu PF activists in Masvingo province on October 11, 2021. On the same day (October 11, 2021), Chamisa and his team were teargassed by riot police while they were holding a private meeting in Masvingo town.”
Kumalo added: “The continued clampdown on the opposition goes against the ideals of a democratic society. Of major concern is the fact that the state media and state security institutions are aiding the clampdown on the opposition and this has raised fears of yet another bloody election in 2023.”
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition also implored state security institutions to desist from partisan politics.
“In our capacity as an umbrella body of civil society organisations operating in Zimbabwe, we implore law enforcement agents to investigate the incidences of violence and bring perpetrators to book.
“Allowing Zanu PF activists to operate above the law can only serve to further shrink the democratic space and fuel rights violations against opposition supporters.”
