* Villagers flee * Chief in hidingThe part of President Robert Mugabe is vigorously reviving its apparatus of violence and intimidation around the country, following a brief hiatus after the unity government came to power.
Political tension reared its head again in Mudzi where the local MP, Newton Kachepa of Zanu (PF) on Sunday threatened a local headman, Peter Chabweka.
Kachepa told Chabweka, who is related to a senior MDC member, that his boys (the militia) will behead him come election time.
Things are now bad here and we have fled the area. The chief has also left and is in hiding. We are not secure at our homes and the threats have even disrupted farming activities, said a an MDC-T official from the area who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation.
Many people are afraid that the violence that characterised the 2008 Presidential run-off will again erupt in remote areas of the country where soldiers and Zanu (PF) militia break the law with impunity.
No person has been sentenced for the death of more than 200 MDC supporters in 2008, leaving victims terrified of the impending wrath that has been promised by over excited Zanu (PF) supporters who have a new battle cry: Operation Mugabe Zvachose.
On Saturday, soldiers met with teachers at Vhombodzi in the same district and told them in no uncertain terms that they have to join Zanu (PF) or once again leave their schools.
Soldiers from Mudzi barracks told teachers that Zanu (PF) wants to have a good working relationship with teachers so they must buy party membership cards. The soldiers told the teachers that those who refused to do so would find themselves on the run come next year, said a teacher in Mudzi.
MDC-T Information Secretary for Mashonaland East, Silas Gweshe, said that the political temperature in parts of Mashonaland East was on the rise.
Zanu (PF) has started reorganising itself and threatening innocent people. Many people have started leaving the area and this affected farming activities. We hope that the police will this time arrest all perpetrators of violence so as to ensure the safety of the people.
Post published in: News