Prosper Mutseyami, the MP elect for Musikavanhu constituency in Chipinge
district, said the raids were led by two well known Zanu-PF thugs,
identified as Morris Mukwe and Simon Mapfumo.
Eight of the activists were picked up from Rimai and the other 10 from
Murembe, two villages that overwhelmingly voted for the MDC.
‘They moved around in a Toyota Hilux truck and were brandishing AK 47
rifles. This was a well-coordinated plot as all those abducted were key
election officials for the party in the forthcoming presidential run-off,’
Mutseyami said.
It is understood that the 18 MDC activists were badly tortured at Checheche
police station where the militant group dumped them. From Checheche the
activists were driven to Chisumbanje police station where they are currently
being held. Police have charged them with inciting violence in the
constituency. But the MDC rubbished the allegations, saying they are trumped
up charges.
‘How can we beat people who overwhelmingly rejected Robert Mugabe and voted
MDC? The police are saying we are beating up people belonging to Zanu-PF,
but as far as we know there are no longer people from Zanu-PF in the
constituency, if we go by what came out during the March elections,’
Mutseyami said.
Other militias in the district have taken over the home of Mathius Mlambo,
the MDC MP for Chipinge East. Over 50 war veterans and militias brandishing
guns invaded his home on Tuesday and have been camped there since.
‘I managed to flee when I got a tip-off that they were coming for me. My
family is also in hiding but I understand they’ve killed some of my goats
and cattle and have been partying and playing loud music on my stereo,’
Mlambo said.
SWAfrica Radio
Post published in: News