MAHUSEKWA - On a rainy night at the end of January in Marondera West Constituency, an unregistered red vehicle visited the home of MDC-T Acting District Chairman Eddington Mangwenzi. They shouted chilling warnings and told him to leave their domain or else face death. Magwenzi recalls the day with a mixture of regret and relief.
I really wanted to get out of the house so that I could positively identify the people. I wanted to confront them but I could not as I was not sure of the weapons that they were carrying. When they drove away I was relieved that they had not set my home on fire as they did in 2008, said Mangwenzi.
In most parts of the country the clock is being turned back to the tumultuous 2008 period when Zanu (PF) supporters with the backing of the army unleashed a reign of terror. The hiatus that was made possible by the coalition government is slowly but surely collapsing with violence and intimidation being reported daily.
Several members of the MDC have been forced to join Zanu (PF), however, I cannot be forced to denounce my chosen party and no amount of intimidation can force me to join Zanu (PF). I would have really liked to square up against people who came to my house, but I could not as I feared for my family, said Mangwenzi.
So tense is the situation in Mahusekwa that people have resolved to supporting the MDC in secret and threats from the MP for the area, Amborose Mutinhiri, that he is looking for people like Mangwenzi have further frightened MDC supporters.
Many people are now afraid of openly supporting the MDC, but as their leader here, I cannot join Zanu (PF). They can come to my home but I will not leave my home. I live from tilling this land and where else would I go?
Apart from being visited by an unmarked car, Mangwenzi is also receiving unregistered calls telling him to leave his home.
On my own I do not fear death, but my child and wife need peace. The police here have been helpful but then Zanu PF supporters are not afraid of them, said Magwenzi.
Post published in: News