MDC-T members face intimidation ahead of Chegutu East by-election

via MDC-T members face intimidation ahead of Chegutu East by-election | SW Radio Africa by Alex Bell on Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Two MDC-T officials in Chegutu East were this week interrogated and threatened by three Zimbabwe National Army soldiers, as tensions there increase ahead of this weekend’s district by-election.

The Ward 11 Chegutu East seat fell vacant after ZANU PF Councillor Nickson Muchabata died in January this year. Elections for a new councillor will be held on Saturday.

Earlier this month, it was reported by the Zimbabwean newspaper that the ZANU PF candidate Taurai Sengu had tried to provoke tensions when he put up ZANU PF campaign posters on the walls of a house and tuck shop belonging to Abigail Walaza, an MDC-T activist. Abigail is the mother of the MDC-T candidate, Didlen Walaza.

According to SW Radio Africa’s correspondent Lionel Saungweme, it was this news article that prompted the soldiers to target the two MDC-T members.

“These soldiers went to the homes of two MDC-T cadres and force marched them to the growth point and started interrogating them. And their main focus was how and why they were sending information overseas,” Saungweme said.

Saungweme spoke to the MDC-T officials who asked to remain anonymous. He said the interrogation ended in threats by the soldiers.

“They said they’re coming back for them. They are very afraid because the violence the MDC has faced over the years has been concentrated in these areas,” Saungweme said.