01 March 2022
Prosperity Sikhosana
Nelson Chamisa has come out guns blazing following the disruption of his party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) star rally which was disrupted by machetes and spear wielding Zanu-PF supporters in Kwekwe on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference in Harare on Monday, CCC leader said that a dark cloud has hung over the nation as ‘we mourn the passing of citizen whose life was cut short by intolerance.’
Mboneni Ncube was stabbed on the side by alleged Zanu-Pf thugs who masquandered as CCC supporters to shield their cover.
Mboneni died in a Kwekwe hospital of spear wounds.
News coming in say another supporter who is yet to be indentified has died.
On Sunday the supporters of CCC converged in their thousands for a Star Rally that was to be addressed by their Leader Nelson Chamisa.
When Chamisa had taken to the podium commission began amongst the supporters where seventeen supporters were injured by machete, spear and catapults carrying individuals.
Sources from Kwekwe say that the thugs wantonly unleashed terror unto the unsuspecting members of CCC resulting in the stabbing of several of their members.
Chamisa tried to quell the noise from the stage, but was quickly whisked away by security team fearing for his life.
It is alleged some of the thugs were carrying petrol bombs.
17 members of CCC were hopitalised whil several others were treated by the medical teams present at the rally and unfortunately 35 year old Mboneni Ncube lost his life.
Their “only crime was to believe in a brighter Zimbabwe where all are free,” said CCC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere.
Chamisa has since demanded that the ZRP investigates the numerous acts of violence against his partying from the Human Rights Commission.
Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association (COZWVA) has stated that Tapiwa Maganhu is the leader of the terror group targeting CCC in Mbizo, Kwekwe.
COZWVA alleged that the culprits were accommodated at a base at Jersey Gardens, a place owned by former state Minister Owen Mudha Ncube.
A statement released by Kwekwe police state the names of the suspected culprits as,
Takunda Chivenyengwa (21), Isaac Tapfumaneyi (37), James Jere(28), Musa Matingwende (32), Shepard Mbewu (44), Progress Munyuki (30), Amon Kwachata (50), Edmore Shoshera(30), Albert Maketo Tembo (29), Fraud Munyuki (29), Blessing Tomu (18), Perscy Mukwaturi (38), Sydney Samanyayi (29), Valentine Mandizvidza (21), Mischeck Mutetwa (32), Talent Imbayago (28).
Some of these young and unemployed youths were found with Zanu-Pf regalia and investigations led to expose them as card carrying members of the ruling party.
“We demand the same energy that the ZRP gave to disrupting our Rally in Gokwe be applied to solving the murder of Mboneni Ncube and brutal attack on our members.” Fumed Chamisa in a presser in Harare yesterday.
He was referring to the manner in which the police forcibly dispersed tbousands of CCC supporters who had gathered in Gokwe center for the campaign rally to spruce up support for their candidate.
On Saturday, the CCC rally in Gokwe was also characterised by police brutality and abuse of human rights.
After allowing the Gokwe rally to go ahead, the police later made an about turn and sent CCC “Prohibition notice for a by-election campaign launch” the day before the rally.
The notice gave reasons such as fear of damage to property and injury to persons during the rally as Zanu-PF rally was taking place in Kwekwe.
Surprisingly the ZRP had claimed they would not have been able to provide adequate protection for the persons participating in the rally.
The supporters were sprayed with water laced with bitter to skin chemicals, then tearsmoke was fired at them which culminated to running battles all over the small rural town.
Regional actors have taken note of the political violence escalating against the CCC party.
Tanzanian party Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT) released a press statement labelled “Violence against Zimbabwean opposition CCC must stop immediately” praising CCC for their behaviour during this difficult time.
“We believe that it is their (CCC) calmness that has led to preserve Zimbabwe’s peace and keep Zimbabweans from political turmoil, as with the large amount of support and influence they have from the community of Zimbabwe, if the decide to take action to retaliate and take revenge, there would be catastrophic consequences. We commend our friends and colleagues, CCC for their bearable resilience.”
To this Chamisa said,
“CCC peace is our DNA, peace is our signature.”
He continued to condemn the violence being perpetrated against his followers allegedly by Zanu-PF supporters.
Ironically, Zanu-PF has been holding its own rallies elsewhere in the country but there has not been any threats of violence from the opposition supporters. Moreso the MDC led by Douglas Mwonzora has not faced persecution faced by Chamisa and his party.
Chamisa continued lashing out at Zanu-Pf.
“And this is what Zanu-PF intruders did to us. They were so angry because of the huge turnout at our rally. They unleashed violence using stones, machetes and iron bars,” tweeted Chamisa.
Analysists believe that the violence being perpetrated by Zanu-PF “thugs” against Chamisa is fermented by the Zanu-PF leadership.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is quoted as having threatened Chamisa and his party saying,
“I have heard others here saying down with triple C, lemme assure you that there is nothing that it can achieve, you see how we crush lice with a stone? You put it on a flat stone and then flatten it to the extent that even flies will not make a meal out of it. That is what we are going to do to CCC”.
He likened Zanu-PF to Goliath and CCC to a small insignificant party.
This has had CCC strongly believe every ounce of violence thrown at CCC supporters emanates from Zanu-PF.
“This incitement to violence ought to have no place in a constitutional democracy. Violence against citizens is not acceptable. We need new leaders,” bemoaned Mahere.
In the same vein Tanzanian party ACT said,
“We also call on the International Community and Organisations for the Protection and Advocacy of Democracy and Human Rights in Africa and the world, to take a closer look at Zanu-PF’s human rights abuses against the CCC and to take strong action against the party and its perpetrators.”
Zim GBC News