The Movement for Democratic Change formation of Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has formally accused President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF of stepping up its apparatus for intimidation by re-establishing youth militia camps around the country ahead of a constitutional referendum and possible elections next year.
An MDC report issued on the weekend said ZANU-PF militants led by Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Chairman Jabulani Sibanda has been terrorizing villagers in the eastern provinces of Masvingo, Manicaland and Mashonaland East in particular. It said Sibanda disrupted classes at Nhema Primary School in Masvingo ordering teachers and school children to attend his rallies. The MDC demanded that the police arrest Sibanda.
Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told VOA Studio 7 reporter reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the police have done nothing about the campaign of intimidation and must prevent the harassment of innocent villagers.
ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said the MDC report has not been received by his party, but he insisted that ZANU-PF does not condone violence.
Political analyst Ghubani Moyo told reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the alleged disturbances by war veterans on behalf of ZANU-PF indicate the unity government has failed to come to grips with political violence.
Zimbabwe Prime Minister's Party Accuses ZANU-PF of Stepping Up Intimidation
- Jonga Kandemiiri
- Ntungamili Nkomo
Tsvangirai MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa charged that the Zimbabwe Republic Police have done nothing about the alleged campaign of intimidation and must prevent the harassment of innocent villagers in rural areas