Zanu thugs disrupt MDC rally

which was supposed to precede a Zanu (PF) rally at Arcturus Stadium 32 kilometres east of Harare. This reporter was threatened by the party youths as he sought an interview from the incumbent ruling party candidate Elias Juru. The police simply watched from a distance. Micho Mavhura will represent the MDC in the poll.
Despite appealing to one Sergeant Hofisi from Police Internal Security Intelligence and later to the Goromonzi officer-in-charge one Inspector Katsande to intervene and stop the Zanu (PF) rally so as to give the MDC a chance to address the crowd, the opposition party’s remonstrations fell on deaf ears. The police simply refused to intervene, allowing the Zanu (PF) rally to drag on up to 4:00pm.
The Zanu (PF) youths, who seemed agitated by the presence of MDC leaders and vehicles, virtually abandoned conventional electioneering strategies for searing vitriol and character assassination. They even threatened to beat up any suspected MDC supporters who got within 100 metre-radius of the venue. Apparently the timid crowd, of mainly schoolchildren, seemed more amused with the Nyau dancers and the famous Ben Arinoti dance group than with the campaign message.
The MDC finally managed to address a small crowd that defied the ruling party threats, urging the electorate to turn out in their thousands for the poll on Saturday.
Chisvo said he was confident the opposition candidate would win the poll despite widespread intimidation.
“It is typical of what you expect from Zanu (PF),” Chisvo said. “They are scared of a fair contest. We are confident of winning in spite of threats, bribery and intimidation.”