adminTemba Dube Senior Reporter
THE poster war between MDC-T and party members who broke away to contest as independent candidates has intensified with a youth being arrested in Mpopoma, for tearing down a rival’s campaign posters. Police yesterday confirmed that a party youth Samuel Mlauzi, was arrested on Thursday for tearing campaign posters belonging to MDC-T outgoing legislator for Pelandaba-Mpopoma Constituency Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Khumalo said the MDC-T had adopted mafia tactics to unleash a terror campaign on members believed to be sympathetic to his cause.
“I had to report Mlauzi because he has been on a crusade to remove my posters and intimidate my supporters. I believe he is working with my MDC (T) rival in Pelandaba–Mpopoma, Mr Bekithemba Nyathi. It seems these people have taken Mr Mhlanga (Albert, MDC-T organising secretary)’s call to break the law because the party has lawyers to defend them, ” said Mr Khumalo.
He said people who were believed to be his supporters within the party were being harassed by gangs of youths, whom he said were doing bidding of senior party officials.
“They have turned the party into a mafia gang that has no respect for other people and their rights. My supporters are now afraid to openly campaign for me because of these youths.
“ I think they have become desperate as they realise that they are going to lose the seat in the elections. I am happy police are taking the matter seriously,” said Mr Khumalo.
Contacted for comment, MDC-T official candidate Mr Bekithemba Nyathi declined to speak.
“I will dignify this nonsense with a response,” said Mr Nyathi.
Police spokesperson for Bulawayo, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said police had launched a manhunt for Mlauzi’s accomplices.
“We have picked up a suspect in connection with removal of campaign posters in Mpopoma, which is an offence under the Electoral Act. We are hunting for his accomplices who are still at large,” said Insp Moyo.
He urged Zimbabweans to shun violence.
“We urge people to campaign peacefully for a party of their choice. We are all Zimbabweans who live in the same country and will continue being neighbours even after the elections.
“There is no reason to fight someone because they hold political views that are different from yours. As police, we do not condone electoral violence and we will arrest perpetrators without fear or favour,” said Insp Moyo.
A similar war has erupted in Magwegwe where the outgoing MDC-T member of the House of Assembly for the constituency Mr Felix Mafa Sibanda, who is running as an independent has filed a police report against the party’s official candidate, Mr Anele Ndebele in a battle over campaign posters.
Mr Sibanda, who lost the party’s primaries to Mr Ndebele, filed his nomination papers as an independent citing rampant rigging, chaos and confusion in the internal poll.
Mr Sibanda is accusing Mr Ndebele of removing his campaign posters, which were put at Mabodoko Shopping Centre in New Magwegwe at the weekend.
“They have turned the party into a mafia gang that has no respect for other people and their rights. My supporters are now afraid to openly campaign for me because of these youths.”
Online Reporter