Officers from the army, CIO and police have been accused of leading terror campaigns against Zanu (PF) opponents.
A number of retired and serving members of the police, army and the CIO took part in the primary elections but most of them lost.
In Chimanimani East, Charles Muresherwa lost to Munacho Mutezo while in Chimanimani West, CIO operative Fred Hlabiso lost to incumbent member Samuel Undenge.
Violent campaigns
Earlier this year, The Zimbabwean revealed that Muresherwa was leading a violent campaign against villagers. More recently, he was travelling around his constituency with youths dolling out cabbages and small packets of salt as part of his campaign gimmick.
He has been accused of conducting semi-military training for Zanu (PF) youths in the run up to the 2008 elections.
Muresherwa, who is also a war veteran, reportedly set up semi-military bases in the area where Zanu (PF) youths were being indoctrinated. He is said to have moved around the constituency brandishing an AK 47 and intimidating MDC supporters.
“Muresherwa traumatised a lot of people, including Zanu (PF) supporters, and it was obvious that he was going to lose the elections,” said a villager who preferred not to be named. “Some of us voted in the primaries just to make sure that he did not win. Even if he had won the primaries, he was going to be embarrassed in the elections because of the suffering he inflicted on the people.”
The Zimbabwean could not get a comment from him but he has denied involvement in military campaigns in the past.
Military defeat
Another senior army official who bit the dust in the primary elections was Tenias Shava who lost to Joram Gumbo in Mberengwa West.
During the 2008 elections, Shava reportedly led a group of soldiers and Zanu (PF) youths to torch huts belonging to MDC supporters.
In Shurugwi North, Robert Nyathi, another CIO operative, lost to Francis Nhema in the primaries. Nyathi plans to run as an independent in the constituency, a decision observers say will divide the party vote and give MDC-T, represented by Onismas Manungo, an easy ride.
Senior army officials in Chivi, Bikita and Chivhu were also unsuccessful.
Post published in: News
the PEOPLE have had enough of these looters and losers.
they will find out how much zanu pf is HATED all over zimbabwe !
Change is inevitable !