The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a statement on the violence that erupted in Matobo on Sunday 16 October 2022 between members of the ruling ZANU PF and members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The statement seen by Pindula News says both parties have each approached the police to report the violence. Reads the statement:
ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE STATEMENT ON MATOBO POLITICAL VIOLENCE
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is seized with reports of violent skirmishes which occurred in Matobo on 16th October 2022. Reports of assault and violence have been received from both ZANU-PF and Citizen Coalition for Change members.
Investigations are now in progress with a view of accounting for all suspects involved in violence.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges political parties and supporters to be responsible and shun all forms of violence.
(NYATHI.P) Assistant Commissioner
Senior Staff Officer [Press and Public Relations]
to the Commissioner General of Police
Police General Headquarters
Meanwhile, CCC national spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere claimed two party legislators, Daniel Molokele and Kucaca Phulu, were violently attacked in Matobo by ZANU PF members while campaigning ahead of Ward 2 by-elections.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare on Monday, Mahere said the party led by Nelson Chamisa, a former Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, was worried by the rise in cases of politically-motivated violence ahead of the harmonised elections scheduled for 2023.
She said the violence reflects ZANU PF’s way of doing things adding that Chamisa cannot go to any rural area without an incident of ZANU PF-driven violence and lawlessness.
Mahere, a lawyer, said they had recorded similar incidents in Masvingo, Ngundu, Chivi, Wedza, Chiredzi, Zaka, Seke rural, Nyamaropa, Chipinge, Hurungwe, Karoi, Gokwe Centre and recently Gokwe Kabuyuni.
She, however, is convinced that the violence would not “stop the winds of change.”