By Leonnel Mhuka
A CCC member who contested the Muzarabani South parliamentary seat has published a report reviewing the pre-, during-, and post-election day environment in his constituency. He concluded the report saying “The 2023 elections in Muzarabani South were not free, fair,peaceful and credible. They fell short of Zimbabwean electoral laws and SADC principles governing elections.”
Below is the full report
Elections Report : Muzarabani South Constituency
Name:Wellington Gweru: Designation: CCC MP Candidate
Background
In the 2023 harmonised elections I was deployed by the party CCC as an MP.
Pre-election period
1. I could not effectively campaign for I was receiving death threats and my supporters were being intimidated daily by FAZ and ZANU-PF members.
2. Many people in the constituency were afraid to be associated with me.
3. On the nomination day I had to be discreet to visit the nomination court in Bindura. After the nomination court threats increased.
4. I failed to access Mwonga Farm to deploy one of my polling agents for we were blocked by ZANU-PF members.
Voting day
5. All my polling agents were harassed and I am failing to locate the whereabouts of one agent.
6. At around 11 am I was attacked at a bridge in Goromokwa farm on way to my voting station by two state agents —known by the names Mandi and Rwodzi
7. The two state agents were trekking me everywhere I was going
8. The car I was in was attacked (see attached photos) by the two state agents.
9. I was with some of my campaign team members – Tichaona Chigayo and Muchemwa Chiwota.
10.I made a police report at Centenary police station (see attached photos) under RRB 549762.
11.I failed to transport food to my agents
12.I had to seek refuge at the Centenary police station
13.The following morning, I had to fled the constituency due to continued threats, violence and intimidation There was need to secure my immediate family.
Post-election
14.Currently, I am hiding but I heard that state agents and ZANU-PF members are looking for me.
15.I am worried about my agents, supporters, friends and relatives whom I think are on target. I am failing to account for one agent.
Conclusion
The 2023 elections in Muzarabani South were not free, fair, peaceful and credible. They fell short of Zimbabwean electoral laws and SADC principles governing elections.
