MDC MP living in fear following threat to life
By Tichaona Sibanda
11 April 2007

MDC MP for Masvingo central Tongai Matutu revealed on Wednesday he is living in fear, but not without good reason because word has got to him that he’s a prime-target of the country’s notorious state security agents.

Matutu was tipped-off last week by sympathetic members of the security forces after a Joint Operations Command provincial meeting in Masvingo put him at the top of a hit list of ‘trouble-makers’ in the town.

‘Part of the plan is to orchestrate violence in Masvingo and blame it on the MDC especially its only MDC MP in the province. From what I have observed so far in the last couple of days, the state machinery is gathering momentum in Masvingo and we are likely to experience the same situation as in Harare,’ Matutu said.

His position is not helped by the fact that he is the only opposition MP in the whole of Masvingo province. Following the JOC meeting of the police, Central Intelligence Organisation and Army last week, Matutu said he was tipped-off by ‘insiders within the system’ that he should watch his movements.

‘You discover it’s risky and you cannot insure against any attacks, so that puts me in a vulnerable position. At the same time, I cannot run away from my constituency, I cannot run away from my home. I just have to be vigilant and be extra careful,’ he said.

The MP said each province has been issued with instructions to come up with results in a new wider operation to suppress the opposition countrywide. Those policing the provinces have also been told to make inroads in cracking down on the opposition.

‘The provincial security heads feel pressured to come up with results, that’s why we fear there are going to be serious and brutal attacks on opposition activists. This week that purge has moved to Matabeleland and we expect trouble in our area anytime from now,’ Matutu added.