By Christopher Makaza

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chairperson Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba says the sickening, sexualised and sexist abuse of ZEC officials including herself by MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa  and his loyalists continues especially during the opposition party`s rallies and on  their social media pages.

Testifying before the commission of inquiry into the August 1 violence, Justice Chigumba said ZEC officials were victims of consistent abuse by the MDC Alliance, which uses derogatory language against them.

“Prior to the 2018 July harmonised election, we were abused, we received threats and verbal abuses from the opposition elements and we are still being abused. These political parties are actually signatories to a code of conduct that was signed by all participating political parties that says they were not going to do that, but they continue to violet it,” she said.

The European Union (EU) once joined Britain and the other critics of Nelson Chamisa and his party for abusing ZEC female commissioners. The EU described the unwarranted insults and verbal abuse as a form of gender violence against women.

Chamisa’s MDC faction members also once attacked MDC-T leader, Dr Thokozani Khupe when she went to Supreme Court, with the party youths hurling insults and shouting obscenities at her, calling her a prostitute.

Former MDC politician, Ms Jessie Majome once raised similar concerns after she was abused by youths in the MDC faction led by Chamisa, who called her all sorts of names after she decided to stand as an independent in Harare West when she was elbowed out of the constituency.

Chamisa and his cabal have shown over time that they have no respect for women in particular and anyone aligned to the ruling party.