Political Reporter
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has called for calm and restraint following the skirmishes that took place in Matobo on the 16th of October 2022.
In a statement, ZRP National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has aged political parties to exercise restraint as investigations are on-going.
“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 (CCC) members.
“Investigations are now in progress with a view to 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,” said Nyathi.
Harare Post has it that members of the opposition CCC party led by party candidate, Augustine Gumede, attacked ZANU PF members in Insiza whilst destroying a motor vehicle belonging to Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Kindness Paradza. According to a source, this was an unprovoked attack on ZANU PF members who were campaigning for the upcoming Insiza Rural District Council (RDC) ward 4 By-Election.
“ZANU PF enjoys popularity in ward 4. It is unfortunate that Gumede has chosen this path of violence to try and intimidate opponents.
“ZANU PF members only fought back in response to attacks made by CCC,” said the source.
In another separate incident which took place on the same day, one ZANU PF supporter died and scores others were left injured after CCC space barons went on a riotous orgy in Mupedzanhamo, Mbare area in Harare. It took the interventions of ZRP to disperse the riotous gang.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has on countless times preached the gospel of political tolerance to political players as we heard towards the Harmonised General Elections in 2023. He has on numerous times emphasized that violence has no space in Zimbabwe and that all Zimbabweans should shun violence at all costs. It is unfortunate that opposition CCC has chosen to behave otherwise.
