By Wezhira Munya
In a disturbing incident today at around 10 am, Councillor Tawedzerwa Runyowa, a pro- Nelson Chamisa representative from Chivi Central ward 30, and his associate Penel Mukuya Mukwezha, were brutally attacked by four members of Zanu PF. These attackers, who are also affiliated with Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ), were led by a well-known FAZ member named Mazhandu. The assault took place near Madhlangove Primary School in Chivi Growth Point.
Councillor Runyowa had achieved a notable victory during the 23rd August 2023 harmonized elections, becoming the only pro-Chamisa candidate to secure a council seat in the entire Chivi Central Constituency.
However, those elections were marred by violence and intimidation targeting pro-Chamisa supporters and allies, as confirmed by numerous local and international observers, including the Southern African Development Community (SDC).
Despite the challenges faced during the violent 2023 harmonized elections, Councillor Runyowa emerged as a testament to resilience by winning his seat. Nevertheless, it appears that Zanu PF members are continuing to terrorize him in the aftermath of the elections.
Both Councillor Runyowa and Mukwezha sustained injuries in the attack and are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby healthcare facility. According to Councillor Runyowa, he was en route to attend a parents’ meeting at Madhlangove Primary School, which falls within his ward. It is within the rights of a local councillor to participate in such meetings. The primary agenda of this particular gathering was to elect a new School Development Committee that would represent parents and oversee school development initiatives throughout the year.
Additionally, the parents aimed to select a new Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) Committee responsible for identifying deserving underprivileged students whose fees would be covered by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Zanu PF’s objective to seize control of all School Development Committees and BEAM Committees in government and council schools across Zimbabwe has fueled intense competition and contentious elections for these positions. Consequently, the development of schools has been adversely affected, as noted by Development Practitioner Mr. Thomas Mbetu.
During the assault, Councillor Runyowa managed to identify Mazhandu, the leader of FAZ, who surprisingly intervened and prevented his subordinates from inflicting further harm on the councillor. Mazhandu is a well-known figure within FAZ at Chivi Growth Point and has been associated with previous instances of violence against opposition political activists.
Mr. Makotose, a pro-Chamisa member and aspirant for the Chivi Central parliamentary seat in the 2023 harmonized elections, strongly condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by Zanu PF against Councillor Runyowa.
He expressed his disappointment, stating, “We had hoped that Zanu PF would move forward following their alleged victory in the 2023 General elections. Unfortunately, they continue to regress. The country cannot progress with this kind of violent behavior.”
He further emphasized that the attack on Councillor Runyowa was not merely an assault on him as an individual but an attack on the people of ward 30 who had overwhelmingly elected him as their representative in council affairs.
Zanu PF’s deployment of severe violence against opposition candidates and members in Chivi Central leading up to and during the 2023 harmonized elections caused injuries and property damage among opposition supporters
