Staff Reporter
Tensions are rising in Zvimba East as Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Independent candidate, Oliver Mutasa faces accusations of arson and intimidation in a bid to retain the seat he narrowly won in the last by-election before being recalled by that party’s Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu.
This follows a reported case of arson at the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) station in Norton, regarding a Chevrolet car belonging to Gabriel Mananzva, who is the brother of ZANU PF aspiring candidate, Kudakwashe Mananzva.
According to a police report filed on January 21, 2024, Gabriel's Chevrolet car was set ablaze after he narrowly escaped an attack by four CCC members who were driving a grey Toyota Prado and a cream Toyota D4D.
The report states that Gabriel was trailed by the vehicles after spending the day distributing posters for his brother's campaign. He managed to elude them by driving onto a gravel road and abandoning his car to seek refuge in the forest. He later witnessed four men setting the car on fire.
Moreover, sources close to the matter allege that Mutasa's growing desperation to retain the seat in Zvimba East has fuelled a lot of violence and intimidation. Having lost the backing of CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa, who abandoned him after his recall from that party by CCC Secretary General, Sengezo Tshabangu, Mutasa is now running as an independent candidate with limited resources and a dwindling support base.
"Mutasa's escalating desperation to cling to the Zvimba East seat has driven him to resort to violence, a reflection of the precarious position he finds himself in. Having lost Chamisa’s backing following his recall from the party, Mutasa is now navigating the political landscape as an independent candidate with limited resources and a diminishing support base. This has forced him into a corner, pushing him to adopt drastic measures in a bid to secure a victory,” said the source.
According to the source, the possible loss of the Zvimba East seat which was once his stronghold is seen as a political death knell, allegedly driving him to employ strong-arm tactics.
"The desperation in Mutasa's camp is palpable. They know they are losing ground, and this is a dangerous attempt to cling to power through brute force. Burning someone's car is not just a political ploy; it's a message of fear, meant to silence not just Gabriel but anyone who dares to support Munanzva,” said the source.
Meanwhile, political analyst Clayton Mambizho condemned the violent tactics employed by CCC members in every election period.
"This route to violence is deeply disappointing. It's not just Mutasa who is responsible for these actions; the entire CCC leadership must answer for this blatant disregard for the rule of law and the safety of their fellow citizens," said Mambizho.
As the investigation into the arson case continues, the spotlight remains on Mutasa and the CCC's approach to the electoral battleground, with citizens and analysts alike, calling for a fair and peaceful election environment in Zvimba East.
