Suspected Zanu PF supporters allegedly attacked Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists on Sunday soon after party leader Nelson Chamisa addressed thousands of people in Kwekwe, Midlands Province.
In a tweet, party spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said, “Zanu PF thugs stormed our #Kwekwerally today after President @nelsonchamisa’s address & violently attacked CCC supporters. 3 people were hospitalized. Zanu PF has turned to political violence as it fears CCC’s mass popular support as we approach 2023. The persecution must stop!”
The by-election victory celebrations are part of a nationwide series of rallies being held by Chamisa’s party to thank the people for voting for their candidates in the March 26 by-elections.
CCC won most of the council and parliamentary seats to fill vacant council and parliamentary seats following the recall by the opposition MDC-T of those that were deemed to be affiliated to the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance, once led by Chamisa.
Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi, was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.
The CCC is also looking for its member, Moreblessing Ali, who was allegedly abducted by suspected Zanu PF activists.
In a tweet, Mahere said, “Yesterday, @CCCZimbabwe led hundreds of citizens in a search party for Moreblessing Ali. We roped in @PoliceZimbabwe, MPs, councillors & community leaders to search for her in Nyatsime where the enforced disappearance took place. We continue to demand her safe return.”
Mahere noted that her family is worried about her abduction.
“Moreblessing Ali is feared by her family to have been abducted. She was last seen on 24 May then bundled into a car by a Zanu PF mob. She’s a CCC activist targeted for her opposition to the regime. Please RETWEET to raise awareness so she’s urgently found!”
Zimbabwe is expected to hold crucial general elections next year amid fears of an outbreak of political violence.