SCORES of MDC-T supporters and other disgruntled citizens linked to the violent protests that rocked Harare last week, have reportedly gone into hiding for fear of the State security dragnet, it has been established.
Source: Protesters flee homes – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 29, 2016
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
MDC-T youth leader, Happymore Chidziva told NewsDay yesterday that armed people were randomly visiting homes of its members in the dead of the night, abducting and torturing them over their participation in the demonstrations.
“The police and other State actors who include military personnel have been deployed to homes of party leadership where they terrorise even children in an attempt to smoke out people they suspect to have participated in our peaceful demonstrations against the dictatorship of (President Robert) Mugabe,” he said.
Chidziva and MDC-T youth secretary-general, Lovemore Chinoputsa, have also gone into hiding with national police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, saying the two could be charged with inciting public violence.
“We have identified a number of the culprits, some have already been arrested, while we are looking for the other convenors (that) will also be arrested for inciting violence,” Charamba said, adding the hunt had so far netted 67 suspects.
MDC-T deputy chairperson for Harare province, Kerina Dhewa, was allegedly abducted by armed men, while she was still in bed on Friday. Her family said they only managed to locate her in the evening.
Party spokesperson, Obert Gutu confirmed the abduction saying a number of its supporters were now living in fear.
Chidziva claimed the unidentified men had interrogated his family, demanding leads into his whereabouts.
“I have heard they have been trying to scare my family and friends to give out my location. Why would an establishment that claims to have intelligence force a two-year-old to find me? I am not on the run, if they want me they will find me,” he said.
Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore yesterday refused to comment when asked about the involvement of the military in patrolling streets and hunting down protestors, referring all questions to the police.
COMMENTS
This is sad even if predictable. The are at least two (related) lessons. First, that although we Zimbabweans have a high tolerance for incompetence, oppression and exploitation by our rulers, we have have very low patience for activities aimed at redressing our situation. Unlike what has been seen in some cultures, we are quick to lose interest if for example one or two protests do not achieve intended results. The second is that when dealing with an oppressor like Zanu PF, if you periodically pause for a week or even days between activities, the regime will use that time, not to respond to demands or fix things; they will fully exploit that lull to smash the leadership of the resistance. It is like hunting a black mamba or injured lion. You cannot pause to rest, rejoice or contemplate when you are inches from your opponent and it is cornered. This should guide activists.