The Zimbabwe Election Support Network has issued a report accusing the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe of setting up militia bases in Mashonaland East, Central and West provinces ahead of elections the party wants this year.
The non-governmental organization urged the Southern African Development Community to keep working with parties in the unity government to ensure an independent electoral body and updated voters roll are put in place, and political violence is not tolerated.
Militia bases were identified by ZESN at Kotwa, Mudzi, Mashonaland East Province, and in at Chiwashira, Muzarabani South District, Fox Farm, Negomo and Nzvimbo in Mazowe District, Kasanga and Chakari in Rushinga District, Mashonaland Central province.
Zimbabwe Election Support Network Director Rindai Chipfunde-Vava told Jonga Kandemiiri that with widespread talk of elections her group fears a repeat of the violent 2008 ballot.
But ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo dismissed the allegations that bases have been set up for the pro-ZANU-PF youth militia, saying the party won’t lose sleep over reports by non-governmental groups he said are determined to tarnish ZANU-PF’s image.