News / National
CCC's by-election candidate considers boycotting
15 Nov 2023 at 00:15hrs | Views
Citizens Coalition for Change's (CCC) candidate for the Mabvuku Constituency by-election, Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, is contemplating withdrawing from the December 9 race following the abduction and murder of Tapfumaneyi Masaya, a key member of his campaign team.
Masaya was reportedly abducted while conducting door-to-door campaigns on Saturday by individuals suspected to be Zanu-PF supporters, allegedly using a vehicle belonging to rival Scott Sakupwanya. His lifeless body was discovered on Monday after an extensive search, showing signs of severe injuries and torture.
The weight of Masaya's killing is deeply affecting Kufahakutizwi, who expressed that Masaya campaigned for him on the day, driven by the hope of reclaiming their constituency. Kufahakutizwi, a CCC legislator who was part of the controversial recalls by Sengezo Tshabangu soon after Zimbabwe's August 23 polls, initially won a highly contested race against Sakupwanya.
Addressing journalists at the CCC's Tuesday press conference, Kufahakutizwi, accompanied by the deceased's wife, Maria Zhuwawo, stated, "We are in pain as the Mabvuku family, as the CCC family. This is a dark cloud that has fallen upon us, and what has made this disturbing is that he was campaigning for me." Kufahakutizwi expressed his concerns about whether participating in the by-election is worth the human cost and intends to engage with the party on this matter.
Clothing worn by Masaya on the day of the incident, including his underwear, was reportedly discovered in a police trunk with a concealed Force Number. Jeffrey Kalosi, who was also abducted alongside Masaya, assaulted, blindfolded, and later dumped near Chabwino, is said to be cooperating with police investigations, despite alleged restrictions on describing the incident as an abduction.
The postmortem for Masaya is expected on Wednesday, with burial details to be shared soon after. His murder follows the deaths of four other CCC supporters in the past two years, believed to be at the hands of suspected State Security agents or Zanu-PF supporters.
Masaya was reportedly abducted while conducting door-to-door campaigns on Saturday by individuals suspected to be Zanu-PF supporters, allegedly using a vehicle belonging to rival Scott Sakupwanya. His lifeless body was discovered on Monday after an extensive search, showing signs of severe injuries and torture.
The weight of Masaya's killing is deeply affecting Kufahakutizwi, who expressed that Masaya campaigned for him on the day, driven by the hope of reclaiming their constituency. Kufahakutizwi, a CCC legislator who was part of the controversial recalls by Sengezo Tshabangu soon after Zimbabwe's August 23 polls, initially won a highly contested race against Sakupwanya.
Clothing worn by Masaya on the day of the incident, including his underwear, was reportedly discovered in a police trunk with a concealed Force Number. Jeffrey Kalosi, who was also abducted alongside Masaya, assaulted, blindfolded, and later dumped near Chabwino, is said to be cooperating with police investigations, despite alleged restrictions on describing the incident as an abduction.
The postmortem for Masaya is expected on Wednesday, with burial details to be shared soon after. His murder follows the deaths of four other CCC supporters in the past two years, believed to be at the hands of suspected State Security agents or Zanu-PF supporters.
Source - newzimbabwe
