In an interview with The Zimbabwean on the sidelines of a sports tournament organised by the Youth Agenda Trust, MDC-T Youth Chairperson for Uzumba District, Cherechedzai Gurure, said intimidation of MDC-T supporters had led to activists shunning the party’s activities for fear of being identified for victimisation.
The YAT sports tournament was aimed at encouraging peace and co-existence among youths while at the same time encouraging them to go out and vote in the coming elections.
The organisation has over the past months been using sport as a way of encouraging youths to refrain from violence as well as to register to vote.
“People are being threatened with a repeat of the 2008 violence but so far, no one has been victimised but the concern is that people are now afraid of what will happen next because of this intimidation,” said Gurure.
“At the moment, we are not very free to hold some of our activities because people are living in fear because of the threats coming from Zanu (PF). People are praying for peaceful elections but with what is happening on the ground, people are no longer sure whether the election will be peaceful,” said Gurure.
PatienceMutata (25), confirmed the intimidation tactics being used by Zanu (PF) in Uzumba. “The situation has worsened now that election time is fast approaching. MDC-T supporters are not even free to walk around wearing their t-shirts because you will be labelled an enemy and you do not know what will happen to you next. We are not even free to discuss political issues because of the fear that has been instilled in us,” said Mutata.
Ellen Makovero (49) who fell victim to the 2008 violence said: “My hut was destroyed by Zanu (PF) youths in 2008 and with what is happening on the ground at the moment, I fear that I might be victimised again because the levels of intimidation are just worrying. We have been warned against attending MDC-T rallies and to us, that is a huge cause for concern.”
Other interviewed villagers raised concern that some village heads were working in cahoots with Zanu (PF) activists to threaten MDC-T supporters with unspecified action.
Said Angela Speeko (60): “Some village heads have even warned villagers against voting for the MDC-T and they are saying that they are closely monitoring the situation. Because of that, people are no longer secure and are doubting whether peace will prevail in the coming elections.”
Post published in: News