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CCC accuses Zanu-PF of turning voting into life-or-death issue
15 Nov 2023 at 05:16hrs | Views
Gift Ostallos Siziba, the deputy spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has accused the ruling Zanu-PF party in Zimbabwe of transforming the act of voting into a life-or-death situation through coercive measures such as abductions, torture, and murder. This statement comes in the wake of the alleged abduction and murder of Tapfumaneyi Masaya, a key member of the CCC's campaign team.
Masaya was reportedly abducted while conducting door-to-door campaigns for CCC's Mabvuku Constituency by-election candidate Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi. Kufahakutizwi is set to contest against Zanu-PF's Scott Sakupwanya in a rerun of August's poll following his recall from Parliament by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be CCC's Interim Secretary General.
Siziba, addressing journalists, asserted that voting for CCC has become a life-threatening act, citing the recent murder of another CCC member, Nyasha Zhambe, before Gutu's recent by-election. Siziba highlighted the killings of Mboneni Ncube, Zhambe in Gutu, Moreblessing Ali in Nyatsime, and Tafadzwa Chitsunge in Glenview, describing them as "change champions."
Masaya's body was discovered in a state of decomposition, showing signs of injection with an unknown substance by assailants. Siziba expressed concern over the failure of the regime to bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice and criticized the prevailing lawlessness in the country.
Siziba emphasized that under President Mnangagwa, voting in Zimbabwe has become a coerced act, with citizens forced to vote for Zanu-PF for the sake of their lives. He argued that voting is no longer about political choice or addressing bread-and-butter issues, characterizing it as coercion.
The Zimbabwean government and Zanu-PF have faced criticism for their handling of electoral processes, with the conduct of August's polls raising concerns about voter intimidation, abductions, and torture, prompting questions about the credibility of the outcomes from opposition parties and international observer missions.
Masaya was reportedly abducted while conducting door-to-door campaigns for CCC's Mabvuku Constituency by-election candidate Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi. Kufahakutizwi is set to contest against Zanu-PF's Scott Sakupwanya in a rerun of August's poll following his recall from Parliament by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be CCC's Interim Secretary General.
Siziba, addressing journalists, asserted that voting for CCC has become a life-threatening act, citing the recent murder of another CCC member, Nyasha Zhambe, before Gutu's recent by-election. Siziba highlighted the killings of Mboneni Ncube, Zhambe in Gutu, Moreblessing Ali in Nyatsime, and Tafadzwa Chitsunge in Glenview, describing them as "change champions."
Siziba emphasized that under President Mnangagwa, voting in Zimbabwe has become a coerced act, with citizens forced to vote for Zanu-PF for the sake of their lives. He argued that voting is no longer about political choice or addressing bread-and-butter issues, characterizing it as coercion.
The Zimbabwean government and Zanu-PF have faced criticism for their handling of electoral processes, with the conduct of August's polls raising concerns about voter intimidation, abductions, and torture, prompting questions about the credibility of the outcomes from opposition parties and international observer missions.
Source - newzimbabwe
