MANICALAND
Police in the region are being cited as perpetrators of the ongoing state-sponsored violence that has forced thousands of MDC supporters to flee their homes.
According to the Movement for Democratic Change, reports received from Makoni South Constituency say two police officers are among those who invaded the area with three trucks of youth militia members.
The group fired their weapons several times and accused villagers of allowing the local Zanu MP lose his seat. The house of one villager, Admire Muponde, was ordered to be burned.
Happison Mavhezha, Ward 30 councillor, said anyone in police uniform had become a threat to the people. He said police invaded an Anglican Church service last Sunday, disturbing proceedings while they were hunting for him.
Makoni South has for so long been a Zanu (PF) stronghold and problems started when the seat was won by Pishai Mudiauraya. Since then, police have harassed and tortured all they suspect to be MDC members. People have lost confidence in the uniformed forces and they have now become a threat to the people, said Mavhezha, who said his life was now at risk as there were demands for a by-election in the local council elections.
Police in Nyanga had resolved not to handle any cases of political violence reported to them by MDC members, said Nyanga North Ward 2 councillor Hezmor Maambire.
Police said they cannot intervene in political issues and that the MDC and Zanu (PF) should settle their squabbles alone without police involvement.
Twenty houses have so far been burnt in Vheneka Ward 27 in Chipinge South, again – says the MDC – with the support of police and army officers. The thugs are also said to have tortured people as punishment for voting against the Zanu (PF) candidate.
Buhera South was still a no-go area after a campaign of torture and harassment. Youth militia were camped in deserted MDC supporters’ homes and were killing livestock to eat. Ward 26 Chairman for Buhera South Gideon Mbaraidzo lost five of his cows to the gangs, but attempts to get the police to intervene or take action had been fruitless, said a statement from the MDC.
Instead of being a source of hope to the people, the police have become a threat, said Pishai Muchauraya.
Post published in: News