His country’s economy has crashed. Hundreds of thousands of people are desperately short of food. And political violence is rampant across the land. But when he is asked about the election, he grows quiet.
”I can’t talk too much. I don’t know what might happen to me,” the 36-year-old gardener said.
As Zimbabweans prepare for the June 27 run-off, many are terrified to express an opinion.
Pictures showing the brutality being meted to suspected MDC activists have shocked the nation, including the recent gory find of an MDC supporter whose tongue was cut out and eyes gouged from their sockets by an alleged Zanu (PF) goon squad.
In a market in the poor Glen Norah neighbourhood of Harare, people spoke on Thursday of militants from Mugabe’s party living in a nearby camp who invade the area every evening, drag off MDC supporters and torture them.
”The electorate is totally intimidated,” said Kucaca Phulu, the director of Zim Rights, a local human rights group.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, 56, is promising to revive the economy, end corruption and promote a more orderly land reform system.
At a campaign stop this week in Harare, Tsvangirai urged screaming supporters to vote despite the ”intimidation on a massive scale.”
”We will have the last laugh,” he said. ”We must ensure this victory is not stolen by Mugabe.”
Human rights groups and many political analysts say the election already is too tainted to be free and fair.
Post published in: News