ZNA colonel gives MDC supporters ultimatum

Muresherwa, who is a serving member in the army and also aspiring Member of Parliament for Chimanimani East, has been moving door-to-door in the area with soldiers in army uniforms asking the villager’s political allegiance.

“If you say you support MDC, they write your name down and promise to get rid of all MDC supporters in the area after 15 July. All the lists of MDC’s supporters have been handed over to local headmen and chiefs by Muresherwa,” said Stephen Mhlanga, the MDC councillor for ward 19.

Mhlanga said some MDC supporters have already “defected” to Zanu (PF) and are expected to be paraded at a meeting called by Muresherwa on July 15 at Ndangana business centre in Chikwakwa.

“He has organised political rallies where he says soldiers will address the villagers.All the local headmen and chiefs have been instructed to mobilise their subjects to attend,” said Mhlanga. The MDC coordinator for Chimanimani, Pardon Maguta, confirmed the latest development in this MDC dominated area.

“We are taking Muresherwa’s threats seriously,” he said.

Muresherwa has also been accused of setting up torturing bases at Nyambeya primary school, Wengezi township and Nhedziwa growth point in Mutambara where Zanu (PF) youths under his command terrorise opposition supporters.

Two months ago Zanu (PF) youths, allegedly under the colonel’s instructions, torched several huts of MDC supporters in Cashel Valley while two beasts belonging to the local MDC district chairperson were axed by the youths after the chairperson refused to sign the so called anti-sanctions petition.

Muresherwa has also been moving around in the constituency with Zanu (PF) youths dolling out cabbages and small pockets of salt as part of his campaign gimmick.

During the run up to the discredited March 2008 elections Muresherwa moved around the constituency brandishing an AK 47 and intimidating MDC supporters.