Political violence rocks Gokwe in the aftermath of MDC rally

By Lance Guma
06 June 2006

A rally by the opposition MDC in Gokwe 2 weeks ago has triggered a spate of politically motivated incidents of violence in the area. The party’s parliamentary candidate and treasurer for the area, Aaron Chinhara, told Newsreel that soon after their rally which he says was attended by over
10,000 people, elements from the ruling party went on a rampage beating up their supporters. On Sunday and Monday MDC youths wearing party t-shirts were assaulted by Zanu PF youths in the full view of police officers. Leading the terror campaign is a youth known as ‘Kojak’ who apparently doubles as an aide to the Zanu PF Member of Parliament in the area, Lovemore Mapukuta.

Also said to be active in the campaign is a commanding officer of the local Central Intelligence branch identified only as Salani. According to Chinhara, Salani moves around with a gun and is prone to taking it out and pointing it at opponents during scuffles. The campaign against their supporters culminated in the arrest of their Provincial Chairman, Cephas Zimuti, on allegations that he insulted Robert Mugabe. Zimuti addressed a meeting in the Gahwa ward area before police arrested him. He was locked up for 2 days before being released. With rural council elections coming up MDC officials believe the violence is meant to demoralize their supporters.

Chinhara says that the general peace and quite that had surrounded the last election had encouraged people in Gokwe to come out clearly in support of the MDC and some Zanu PF supporters were even crossing the floor. He says that the ruling party has decided to rehire the same violent elements within its ranks to try and salvage support in the area.