Elderly members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) who were severely assaulted in Mashonaland East last week have broken their silence, accusing Zanu-PF supporters led by a local war veteran of having attacked them.
Political violence is escalating ahead of general elections later this year.
A video that went viral on social media this week showed a group of about 15 well-known Zanu-PF supporters arriving at the home of Morris Seremani, 69, who is interim chair of the CCC branch in Chirova village, about 100km north of Harare.
Seremani was sick and six other mainly elderly CCC members had gathered to visit him.
The Zanu-PF group was led by war veteran Never Chimutashu, who is also from Chirova in the Murehwa North constituency.
“The people who attacked us were Zanu-PF members. Some were even wearing party T-shirts which they had put inside out,” Seremani told the Sunday Times in an exclusive interview.
“They even come to my homestead using a Zanu-PF vehicle and a Kombi which they parked near a school. They were being led by … Chimutashu, who is a neighbour to one of my fellow party members, Parfeck Dongo,” he added. Dongo, 76, was among those beaten in the attack.
Chimutashu has since been arrested.
“They just descended on my homestead while we relaxed with my fellow party colleagues, who had visited to comfort me since I wasn’t feeling well. They started beating me using sticks and knobkerries all over the body after removing my clothes. I am not feeling well right now. I was severely beaten over the whole body,” Seremani said.
“There were 15 people in that group. Some even pushed me down and stepped on my head while severely assaulting me. They even broke all my phones … They were asking, ‘Why are you holding CCC meetings here?’ and ‘What do you think this CCC party will give you?’ and ‘You think [Nelson] Chamisa will rule this country?’
We didn’t even get a chance to answer their questions because there were beating us nonstop. They accused me of being the stubborn leader of the group and said they will teach me a lesson
— Morris Seremani
“We didn’t even get a chance to answer their questions because there were beating us nonstop. They accused me of being the stubborn leader of the group and said they will teach me a lesson,” Seremani said.
“After that they went for the ladies, and everyone who was there, including harassing my two little grandchildren of 13 and 12 years old. After that they started speaking among themselves and left.”
Seremani said he was not intimidated by the assault and was more determined than ever to see Chamisa take power.
“We also want these elections to be free and fair and we want other countries to watch these elections closely. I am confident with our mukomana [guy] will win this time,” he said.
Another victim of the assault, Nyaradzayi Chitauro, 48, said such incidents were increasing as the opposition gained ground in the Zanu-PF stronghold.
She said the assault last week was particularly shocking because those at the house had gathered to visit a sick friend, not to hold a political meeting.
“The reason Zanu-PF is being violent in Murehwa is because they are losing much support… Most people in our area support the CCC but are afraid to come out in the open,” she said.
“I was severely beaten all over the body, especially on my hands. I am in pain. There went on the rampage beating everyone, accusing us of having gathered for a CCC meeting.
“They were saying, ‘You old ladies, what are you holding such opposition meetings for?’ During the severe beating we even admitted we were CCC members and were visiting our sick colleague. We are not going to leave our party because of the beating.”
CCC leaders took the assault victims to Harare for treatment by private doctors.
Zanu-PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi said the party distanced itself from the alleged attack in Murehwa, saying it was involved in a nonviolent election campaign.
“Regarding what we saw in Murehwa, let me reiterate the party position. The president, ED [Emmerson] Mnangagwa, has been categorically clear about his message of peace and that message is directed to all of us, including those in the opposition and those who are not affiliated to any political party,” he said.
“The message of the president is that we must have violence-free elections and we must have elections that are credible. Those who win, will win,” said Mugwadi, adding that this would be Zanu-PF “of course”.
“But violence is never part of our mobilisation strategy and the president has been very clear about that. Those who commit acts of violence, whether they come from Zanu-PF or from CCC or any other party, they will carry their cross and account for their actions as individuals and not as groups.
“At a crime scene you don’t find political parties but we find criminals. I am happy some of those criminals are now being arrested and we hope every culprit involved in that violence will be brought to book.”
In a statement, police said they had arrested Chimutashu and their investigations were continuing.
CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said the party condemned the violence.
“The violence is confirmation that [Zanu-PF’s] backs are against the wall. It’s a myth that rural areas and the elderly are Zanu-PF strongholds.
"We have penetrated rural areas in all provinces and they are running scared. We reiterate that we want elections, not war. This should be a battle of ideas, not broken bones,” she said.
“To beat the elderly is an unconstitutional breach of dignity and ubuntu. We have put the region on notice and it must stop.”
The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference issued a statement condemning the Murehwa violence.
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