Vusumuzi Dube
Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday News Reporter
A Nkulumane family has become the latest victim of political violence as their home was attacked and vandalized by suspected supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF party, in a clear act of intimidation linked to their affiliation with the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
The incident took place on a quiet evening last week, at House number 13549 in Nkulumane 12, leaving the family shaken and the community in shock.
Mr Qiniso Nkomo, whose late father, Mr. Aaron Nkomo, was a prominent member of Zanu-PF until his death in 2017, has faced hostility for his decision to align with the CCC, where he has been an active campaigner.
Under his leadership, the party successfully won the constituency in recent elections, a move that has drawn ire from Zanu-PF supporters.
On the day of the attack, neighbours reported witnessing a mob of Zanu-PF supporters storming the Nkomo residence.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, where Qiniso’s wife, Nontokozo Ncube, and his mother, Jennipher Nkomo, were confronted by the aggressive group, who were demanding to know Qiniso’s whereabouts.
The two women were reportedly assaulted in front of their two terrified children.
“They were yelling, demanding to know where Qiniso was. It was terrifying,” said a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous.
“They seemed to think he had some secret information about the party’s operations, possibly something he learned from his late father. It’s clear they believe he should be with them because of his father’s legacy, but he has chosen a different path.”
The attack resulted in significant damage to the Nkomo home, with several window panes shattered and furniture overturned.
The neighbours expressed their fears for the family’s safety, given the escalating political tensions in the area.
“This is not just an attack on a family; it’s an attack on democracy and the right to choose one’s political beliefs,” the neighbor added.
“We are all afraid that if this can happen to them, it can happen to any of us.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with calls for justice and a condemnation of political violence as Zimbabwe approaches a crucial political period.
The Nkomo family has yet to comment publicly on the attack, but their plight highlights the ongoing struggles faced by families caught in the crossfire of political rivalry in the country.
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Online Reporter