THE Nkayi Community Parliament (NCP) has condemned a wave of attacks against polling agents of opposition MDC party supporters by suspected Zanu PF activists.
Zanu PF activists with links to the shadowy Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ), a shadowy affiliate group of the ruling party, have embarked on a witch-hunt targeting polling agents that may be witnesses in an election court challenge by the MDC.
MDC losing candidate for Nkayi North, Chief Ndlovu, filed a High Court application challenging the ruling party candidate Sithembiso Nyoni's victory saying the polls were not free and fair.
According to Ndlovu, his agents are the main victims of the retributive attacks.
NCP speaker Nhlanhla Moses Ncube said the harassment of MDC polling agents was barbaric and against provisions of the constitution of Zimbabwe on the right to enjoy political freedoms. "We expect all political parties to respect everyone's right to legal recourse,” Ncube said.
“This behaviour could be signalling that there was gross thuggery by Zanu PF in Nkayi North.
“If they committed no foul play, why are they attacking witnesses?"
He added: "As the NCP, we strongly condemn such reckless behaviour by Zanu PF which has the potential to harm the image of the country both locally and internationally.
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“We call upon Nyoni to take action against her supporters and party members.
“We know that when children misbehave, it is their parents who are complicit." Nyoni could not be reached for comment.
Ndlovu is challenging the election results citing intimidation of his supporters.
Indications are that following Ndlovu's court application, suspected Zanu PF members and State security agents launched a witch-hunt targeting Ndlovu’s election agents, forcing them to flee their homes.
Ndlovu said they have made a police report and even prior to elections, Zanu PF agents were tearing down our posters and banners and intimidating their supporters as well.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said he had not yet received the report.
“I have not yet received anything on that, I know nothing about that,” Banda said.
In his application, Ndlovu who is represented by Lovemore Madhuku, said the election was neither free nor fair.
In his affidavit, he said over 1 500 voters were assisted to vote, a figure he argues is “wholly unrealistic”.
“There was overwhelming disregard of the provisions of section 59 of the Electoral Act (2:13), leading to an abuse of the facility relating to illiterate and physically handicapped voters with a view to favouring the 1st respondent,” he submitted.
