The provincial constitutional command centre here is headed by the District Central Intelligent Officer, (DIO), Kuleya. The command centre denied accreditation of party liaison officers, a move that some have suggested was made to enable plain-clothed police officers to campaign for Zanu (PF) views in the constitution making.
The role of liaison officers was to ensure the playing field was level. Their presence would also help iron out problems arising on the ground. Since Zanu (PF) deployed plain clothes police officers to manipulate the constitution making, liaison officers had to be denied accreditation to avoid exposure of the scandal. In the absence of official liaison officers, Zanu (PF) militia and war veterans can have free rein of terror on the ground, said a government official at the constitutional command centre.
There are reports that police officers at the district headquarters attended three workshops on how to manipulate the outcome of the supreme law making process.
DIO Kuleya is working in cahoots with police assistant inspector Manatsa, to clamp down and arrest MDC-T officials lobbying for a people driven constitution making in rural areas. There is a police campaign to detain MDC-T officials in custody until the supreme law writing exercise is over. Headmen and Zanu (PF) officials in villages are identifying MDC-T officials for the police to frame up charges against them, a highly placed senior source at the provincial headquarters revealed.
The source also said constitution outreach teams meeting points were situated at former Zanu (PF) torture bases in rural areas, to scare away MDC-T supporters.
Do you think MDC-T supporters would give independent views at Sable Ranch Farm, a venue controlled by top Zanu (PF) officials? The venue was shifted from Marondera Rural District Council, as Zanu (PF) realized hundreds victims of Operation Murambatsvina were housed at the council compound. They would contribute views opposed to Zanu (PF) expectations. In Marondera-Svosve area, constitution meeting points were allocated venues such as Saint Martins School, where MDC-T supporters were either tortured or murdered in the run-up to June 27, 2008 Presidential elections, added the source.
Post published in: Politics