(Last Updated on August 15, 2013 by Editor)
Political retribution against known MDC-T supporters is on the rise countrywide, amid reports many have fled their homes after facing relentless threats since the elections on July 31st.
At risk are those who refused to vote with the assistance of ZANU PF officials during the elections. The MDC-T said it is aware of a political crackdown against its supporters by ZANU PF functionaries.
A source at Harvest House said they are busy compiling reports from mostly rural areas, where their supporters are being punished for not voting ZANU PF.
The most affected provinces are Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland and the Midlands South. In Uzumba, Mash East, MDC-T activists are being ordered to surrender their party cards and regalia to ZANU PF officials or face retribution for their political affiliation.
This directive was reportedly issued by ZANU PF branch Chairman for Ward 10, Charles Mugabe, a development confirmed by the MDC-T’s losing candidate in the constituency, Peckson Kazingizi.
Faith Kamutsungira, the losing candidate for Muzarabani South, said most of her supporters have since fled to the mountains to avoid being harassed and intimidated by ZANU PF supporters.
‘We have reported to the police all the violence and intimidation here but nothing has happened or is being done to deal with the perpetrators. Our supporters are still living in fear and have found refuge in the nearby mountains,’ Kamutsungira said.
In Mberengwa, there are reports that several homes belonging to opposition parties have been burned down. Dr Takavafira Zhou, who stood as an MDC-T candidate in Mberengwa North, told SW Radio Africa that he was travelling to the area to assess the situation.
‘I’ve received reports of homes being burned down and our supporters fleeing the district so I’m travelling to the area to investigate,’ Zhou said.
Zhou said instead of being magnanimous in victory, ZANU PF was now going after their supporters because they know they cheated and don’t have the mandate to rule the country for the next five years.