MDC activists facing retribution in Manicaland
By Tichaona Sibanda
14 November 2006

Several MDC activists from Nyamajura area near Odzi, Manicaland province have been injured in a series of attacks carried out by Zanu (PF) supporters as retribution for voting the opposition in last month’s rural district council elections.

Giles Mutsekwa, the MDC legislator for Mutare North, said Zanu (PF) supporters led by their local councillors have been on a rampage razing to the ground homes belonging to their supporters. Mutare North constituency is peri-urban and most of the violence has taken place in the three rural wards.

‘After the elections, Zanu (PF) thugs went on a rampage tearing down structures belonging to our supporters. The violence has continued up to this day. We have reported these incidents to police in Odzi but as expected they have not come to our aid,’ Mutsekwa said.

The MP said villagers from the three wards were resettled there in the early 1980’s and because of that Zanu (PF) perceives the area to be under its influence. He added; ‘According to their imagination, any area in a rural set-up belongs to Zanu (PF). The attacks in Nyamajura are being used as an example that anyone who votes MDC would be dealt with accordingly. But our people are resisting that and they know Zanu (PF) is now resorting to violence to get votes.

Mutsekwa believes the attacks are part of a strategy by Mugabe’s regime to instil fear among their supporters ahead of the crucial presidential elections in 2008 or 2010 as suggested by Nathan Shamuyarira, the Zanu (PF) spokesman.

‘We know they want to beat up our supporters to a point where they would be afraid to go out and cast their vote. This has happened before but people are no longer afraid and that is what Mugabe and his party need to know,’ the MP said.

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