Party spokesman Pishai Muchauraya said allowing the military to participate in any democratic elections amounts to flouting of the electoral reforms under the current inclusive government.
‘We are praying that in the next coming election, people should be able to go out in Zimbabwe to vote freely without anybody in the military beating up or intimidating the electorate,’ Muchauraya said.
He said the country’s security services should turn over a new leaf to work assiduously to protect and maintain lives and property of fellow Zimbabweans.
The MDC-T MP issued a warning to ZANU PF they may be damaging their ‘very slim’ chances of re-election if they unleash the might of the military on innocent civilians like what they did four years ago. The military was largely suspected of helping Robert Mugabe manipulate the results of the 2008 elections.
Muchauraya’s sentiments come as members of the country’s military, police, intelligence and airforce elite have invaded the province in an effort to help ZANU PF win back seats their lost in 2008. Out of the 26 parliamentary seats contested, the MDC-T won 20 while ZANU PF only managed to get six. The MDC also holds four of the six senate seats.
It’s believed members of the junta want to contest the elections to enhance the chances of ZANU PF regaining lost ground. But Muchauraya seemed not bothered by that, pointing out that his party has defeated ‘generals and ZANU PF heavyweights’ before.
‘It’s not the first time we have contested these soldiers or so called big names in ZANU PF and defeated them. Lest they be warned they’re coming for the second defeat.
‘What we want to assure our supporters is that these military big names are not a threat to us. History can tell us we have defeated them before. People like General Mike Nyambuya, war vet leader Joseph Chinotimba, former CIO deputy director-general Shadreck Chipanga, party stalwart Kumbirai Kangai and other vicious characters have been defeated by MDC candidates,’ Muchauraya added.
Its feared ZANU PF is so desperate to win the next poll that they are planning to roll out a similar campaign to that of 2008 were soldiers harassed and drive out MDC supporters, especially from rural areas.
In 2008, more than 500 were killed; thousands beaten and close to half a million were driven from their homes in electoral related violence. SW Radio Africa News
Post published in: News