Staff reporter
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Chairperson for Chipinge South Constituency, Tawanda Muzanya was arrested last week by ZRP Chisumbanje for insulting and undermining the office of the President.
According a source, Muzanya and a mob of CCC members attacked a local businessman, Felix Sibamba, with open hands and clenched fists while shouting obscenities at him, ZANU PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This was after the National Mobile Registration team had issued a notice to all stakeholders of its intention to relocate from Mwanyisa Primary School to Mabhiza Primary School. The team from the Registrar General’s office had been satisfied that all the people in that area had been registered or attended to.
Apparently, Sibamba had been assigned by the local legislator, Enock Porusingazi (ZANU PF), to provide transport for the National Mobile Registration team to Mabhiza.
“Muzanya, who is popularly known as “Blasens” in the CCC party circles, approached Sibamba while the latter was about to transport the Registration team to Mabhiza Primary School. Muzanya argued that the relocation was meant to deprive CCC members of their rights to obtain IDs and subsequently register to vote ahead of the 2023 Harmonised General Elections.
“Muzanya went on to order the destruction of Sibamba’s vehicle that was parked nearby. The car was left with shuttered windows and deflated tyres as the hooligans ran amok.
“Cde Sibamba referred the Chairman and his gang to the National Mobile Registration team for clarity on the reasons for relocation but Muzanya would have none of it. Muzanya assaulted Cde Sibamba using fists and open hands before the latter managed to flee the scene for safety,” narrated the source.
An Officer in the National Mobile Registration team confirmed the developments, stating that relocating before stipulated time was normal in the registration processes as long as the presiding officers are satisfied that there is a need to relocate.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who identified himself as China said Muzanya got frustrated by the relocation since it was going to cripple his plan of bussing in voters from other districts.
The ZRP Chisumbanje has since confirmed the arrest of Muzanya and three other accomplices and investigations are still on-going.
Assault cases are now rampant within the CCC party which is now in panic mode after realising that the ruling ZANU PF is gaining foothold in the opposition’s erstwhile strongholds. Violence has now become the norm in that party and its chameleon shade of playing innocent is fast fading out.
Recently five CCC members facing charges of violence and theft appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Grace Tupiri. The five Esnath Zishiri, Emma Chiriga, Garikai Mpandawana, Ropafadzo Tabe and Mathew Giyani engaged in violence when their party was selecting candidates for a local authority by-election on March 26, 2022. The five further went on to assault and steal USD$449 from the complainant, Thokozile Muchuthuli.
