GOKWE -- MDC-T leaders in Midlands province have accused Zanu (PF) militia of harassing, assaulting and torturing members of the former opposition party.Communities in Gokwe are living in fear and political violence in the area has taken a new twist. Zanu (PF) militias are framing charges against our activists ranging from rape, murder to stock theft. Surprisingly in all the reported cases no complainants have been identified, said provincial chairperson Cephas Zimuti.
He said Zanu (PF) militias working hand in hand with the police had arrested a number of MDC-T activists in Gokwe on trumped up charges.
Zimuti named two MDC activists, Nation Gogora and Munetsi Samundaya from Gokwe Chireya, who he said were abducted midnight, tortured and then surrendered to the police on August 4 by a mob of Zanu (PF) militias.
The MDC activists were being falsely accused of rape and public fighting respectively but there were no complainants who came up against them, according to Zimuti.
Another senior MDC official said they were worried about the continued arrests of their party members on trumped-up charges adding that it was a Zanu (PF) systematic crackdown aimed at reducing the MDCs support base.
Zanu PF is using structures within the judiciary and the police force by giving directives to the Attorney General to deny thorough investigations in any case involving any MDC member. This has happened to a number of our MPs and now cascading to our provincial and district members, said the official.
The MDC is on record demanding for reforms within the police force and the judiciary. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai late last month said the army, police and intelligence agency, CIO, would be transformed into a well-rewarded, non-partisan and professional service forces ready to protect the nation not terrorise or suppress the people.
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