News / National
Zanu-PF deploys CIOs
07 Apr 2015 at 09:13hrs | Views
ZANU-PF has reportedly deployed the dreaded Central intelligence organisation (CIO) to intimidate Hurungwe West voters ahead of the by-elections in that constituency slated for June 10, Zimbabwe Independent has learnt.
The Hurungwe West poll is one of the 16 by-elections being held on June 10 to replace fired Zanu-PF and MDC-T legislators.
Zanu-PF expelled Hurungwe West MP Temba Mliswa and Headlands MP Didymus Mutasa, while MDC-T fired 21 legislators - 14 of which are electable seats in the National Assembly.
Hurungwe West villagers told the Zimbabwe Independent CIO agents were targeting people and churches perceived to be supporting a defiant Mliswa, who has indicated that he will contest the elections as an independent.
A Methodist church reverend was threatened following the visit by Mliswa to the church last week.
The CIO agents are also looking for another pastor (only identified as Mukombwe) whom they suspect to be campaigning for Mliswa.
They have a list of names of people who have been in recent contact with Mliswa and they are looking for them. If they fail to find them, they are leaving intimidating messages such as "akaramba achiita zvekwaMliswa anofa" (If he/she continues supporting Mliswa then he/she will be killed.
The Hurungwe West poll is one of the 16 by-elections being held on June 10 to replace fired Zanu-PF and MDC-T legislators.
Zanu-PF expelled Hurungwe West MP Temba Mliswa and Headlands MP Didymus Mutasa, while MDC-T fired 21 legislators - 14 of which are electable seats in the National Assembly.
A Methodist church reverend was threatened following the visit by Mliswa to the church last week.
The CIO agents are also looking for another pastor (only identified as Mukombwe) whom they suspect to be campaigning for Mliswa.
They have a list of names of people who have been in recent contact with Mliswa and they are looking for them. If they fail to find them, they are leaving intimidating messages such as "akaramba achiita zvekwaMliswa anofa" (If he/she continues supporting Mliswa then he/she will be killed.
Source - independent
