By Wezhira Munya
Gutu West Zanu-PF members are engaging in violence against members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as the by-election slated for 11 November 2023 draws nearer.
Yesterday, Zanu PF Gutu West members, led by Bhunga, severely assaulted CCC member Ms. Anna China, aged 36.
Ms. China, a resident in Ward 32 in Chatsworth, told Change Radio that she was attacked by six men who were led by Zanu-PF known activist Bhunga,
“I was beaten by six Zanu PF male members led by Bhunga. They beat me using their hands and logs.”
Ms. Anna China – Gutu West Victim of Political Violence
Additionally, Zanu PF members destroyed Ms. China’s clothes, house, and toilet doors.
Ms. China reported the assault case at Chatsworth police station.
However, the police only provided Ms. China with Form 234, known as the “Request for Medical Report,” for her to seek medical attention, as she has been injured and they are yet to arrest Bhunga and his team.
Also, on 24 October 2023, another CCC member from Gutu West, Mr. Ben Mumanyi, was physically attacked by Zanu PF member Tirivanhu Mbirimi.
According to Mr. Mumanyi, the Zanu PF member attacked him using a metal bar and fists.
Both of Mr. Mumanyi’s eyes, his head, and his left hand were badly injured.
The case of assault was reported at Gutu police station.
Mr. Ben Mumanyi – Gutu West Victim of Political Violence
The Gutu West parliamentary by-election was triggered by the death of independent candidate Mr. Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi in a road accident.
CCC’s candidate for Gutu West, Ephream Morudu, is a war veteran and a former school educator.
This by-election was triggered by the death of independent candidate Mr. Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi due to a road accident.
The following candidates will compete in Gutu West: Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) presents Ephream Morudu as its candidate; Sebastian Martin Mudzingwa is an independent candidate; the National Constitutional Assembly will be represented by Robson Kurwa, and Zanu PF fields John Paradza as its candidate.
The work experience of the Gutu West candidates is as follows:
CCC candidate Morudu is a decorated war veteran and a former school educator.
On the other hand, Mudzingwa, an independent candidate, is Rwodzi’s relative, a businessperson, and the Head of Mudzanapamwe Village in Serima.
NCA candidate Kurwa is a carpenter by profession and a Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Eastern Region board member.
Lastly, Paradza is the Zanu PF National Youth League deputy secretary and a former parliamentarian.
CCC Gutu West candidate Morudu is appearing before the Gutu Magistrate’s court on trumped-up charges. Morudu stated that he is being targeted and is spending most of his campaigning time attending court cases.
He said, “I am being persecuted by Zanu PF through the police and the courts. I am spending most of my time in court rather than campaigning.”
Zanu-PF has been using violence, the courts, and the police to try and silence opposition leaders. Human rights violations were widely reported in the just-ended elections, to the extent that SADC and AU observers, for the first time, condemned the Zimbabwean election, stating that it violated the constitution and was not free, fair, and transparent.
In response to this, the Citizens’ Coalition for Change has rejected the election outcome and has launched a campaign for a fresh, free, and transparent election.
