Top ZANU-PF officials directing violence against opposition

By Tererai Karimakwenda
26 March, 2008

The Tsvangirai MDC this week reported an increase in incidents of violence against their candidates and supporters around the country. Party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said the upsurge in violence was noted particularly in the Chipinge area of Manicaland, the Zvimba area of Mashonaland West and the Bindura area of Mashonaland Central.

Chamisa named several ruling party officials that he alleged were directing the violence in these areas. Enoch Porusingazi was named as the main perpetrator of violence in Chipinge. He has been linked to youth assaults for years now in that district.

ZANU-PF’s National Commissar, Elliott Manyika, was named as the key perpetrator of violence in Bindura and the Minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo, was accused of directing the violence in the Zvimba area, Mugabe’s rural home.

The MDC spokesman confirmed reports that some of their candidates for the House of Assembly and local government have not been able to campaign in their own constituencies, fearing for their lives. Many are staying with party colleagues or relatives away from the areas where they need to be meeting and talking to voters.

Chamisa said they had reported the violence to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission but nothing is being done. He also accused the police of working with the perpetrators of violence, by arresting the innocent victims who report on them. These victims then spend days and sometimes weeks in custody, before being released without charge.