The three candidates, one Karuru, Kaitano Lunga and Raphael Jim had visited Zhangwe resettlement area in the company of Boniface Ncube , a district youth wing leader, to gather details of party supporters.
The quartet is reported to also have gone to the former commercial farming area to acquire names and identity particulars of prospective polling agents when the militia pounced on them and took them to an unknown place.
MDC-T supporters in Shurugwi say the militias have set up a base in the area and declared the ward a no go area for non-Zanu (PF) supporters.
Recently, they allegedly beat up scores of farm workers at the nearby Henderson Farm, resulting in many of the victims requiring medical attention.
The war veterans and youths, sources said, set up a base on John Henderson's farm about two months ago claiming that they had come to protect his property. The militias accused the farm workers of defying their calls to attend Zanu (PF) meetings.
While two of the victims managed to visit hospital and filed their complaints, the police are reported to have advised them that they would deal with the matter after the election. By evening last night, the whereabouts of the abductees were not known.
MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora, said: “As a party, we strongly condemn the behaviour of the so called war veterans and rogue elements within Zanu (PF). ZEC should disqualify intolerant candidates who perpetrate violence against their rivals during election time.”
Mwonzora said all political parties signed a code of conduct which indicated that any wayward candidates would be disqualified.
Efforts to get comment from the Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, were fruitless as he was reported to be in a politburo meeting and phones at Shurugwi Police Station went unanswered.
Post published in: News