MUTOKO - A palpable fear greets visitors to Mutoko, where guns are publicly brandished by war veterans and their offspring.
Supporters of the MDC are afraid of the consequences that await them when the next elections take place. Fear is pervasive in the troubled district where Zanu (PF) supporters claim to be licensed to kill, and are undergoing military drills at the bases that have sprouted since President Robert Mugabe made it clear that he wants to adopt the Kariba Draft Constitution and thwart the public consultation process.
Army personnel, such as Brigadier Godfrey Nyikayaramba, and Airforce of Zimbabwe Director of Intelligence, Bramwell Katsvairo, are right in the thick of things directing events in the district where scores of people were killed in 2008 by Zanu thugs, who continue enjoy immunity from prosecution. The presence of armed state security agents, who move in unregistered vehicles, has alarmed residents. We do not want the CIO in our midst. What we want is for people who broke the law in 2008 to be arrested,” said Peter Chikare from Mbudzi 2.
This reporter received a chilly reception in the area last week. Intruders are met with hostility by a group of people who respect no man secure in the knowledge that they will continue to enjoy impunity by virtue of being supporters of Zanu (PF). According to villagers at Rukawo shops, guns are everywhere and include assault rifles. Eye witnesses report that some of the weapons are obviously new describing them as gleaming, while others have obviously been buried. These include AK47 and FN assault rifles, as well as Uzi sub-machine guns.
How they got them is unclear but many people in Mutoko who spoke to The Zimbabwean said the police had turned a blind eye to those in possession of the un-licensed firearms.
“There are many people who have guns but nothing has been done to them as they have the blessings of the Zanu (PF) leadership. They have openly displayed their guns to those people who are at the forefront in the MDC promising them death in the event of elections,” said Abel Samakanza, the MDC candidate for Mutoko East Constituency in the 2008 elections.
The MP for the area, Ordo Nyakudanga, has been whipping up emotions in the area openly telling those who support the MDC that death awaits them if they continue championing the MDC cause. He carries a gun. “Ordo travels with a pistol and he has openly displayed it to strike fear in the people. Many people are very concerned as memories of what Zanu (PF) is capable of doing are still fresh,” said Albert Kapfunde, the MDC Vice District Chair for Mutoko East.
War veterans such as Jane Masendeke, Smart Kazingizi and Thomas Katiyo move with guns, ostensibly to hunt animals but really to strike fear in the hearts of the people.
According to locals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the war veterans also take their guns to public gatherings. Gun salutes are now a regular feature at the burials of Zanu supporters. MDC MP for Glen Norah, Paul Madzore, who recently toured the area, confirmed that party supporters were living in terror. “People are afraid of Zanu (PF) supporters because they have been victims before. We told the people that should take solace in the fact that justice will prevail one day and that all those people who are striking fear in the people will be arrested,” he said. Travelling from All Souls Mission Hospital in the company of Samakanza, a vehicle appeared out of the bush and pursued us for about 5 km only to disappear into the night when it failed to overtake us.
Post published in: News