By Leonnel Mhuka
In the midst of political tensions leading up to Zimbabwe’s general elections on August 23, concerns have been raised regarding the actions of the ruling party, Zanu PF, and its affiliated organization, the FAZ. There are allegations that they are deliberately targeting nominees from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party for arrest, potentially aiming to disqualify them from participating in the upcoming elections. This move comes after the government recently announced that individuals convicted of a 6-month sentence or more would be ineligible to run for public office.
One of the reported incidents involved Ephraim Murudu, a CCC nominee from Gutu, who was arrested on May 29 but later released without charges. However, the police informed him that he would be summoned at a later date, raising suspicions about the motives behind his arrest. Another CCC nominee, Patrick Cheza, from Chirumanzu South, was arrested yesterday on allegations of assaulting Zanu PF members. He is scheduled to appear at the Gweru Magistrates Court tomorrow June 3.
In a separate incident today, Goodson Matanda, a CCC member from Gutu Central, was arrested for refusing to provide his ID to a member of the FAZ, who was accompanied by a Zanu PF losing candidate (name not provided). At the time of publication, the specific charges against Matanda were yet to be disclosed.
These series of arrests, which seem to follow a pattern, have vindicated CCC adopting a strategy of remaining silent about its operations and refraining from providing details about its structures, candidates, and voter mobilization efforts. This approach has left the Zanu PF regime, known for its oppressive tactics, in a state of confusion and panic as the elections draw nearer.
Reports indicate that Zanu PF lacks the support required to secure victory due to widespread disillusionment stemming from economic mismanagement and allegations of corruption and smuggling against its leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa. As a result, some of its supporters and other citizens have expressed their intention to vote for the CCC in the upcoming general elections.
