Zanu PF Youths, Soldiers Tear Down MDC-T Posters

By James Marufu

Masvingo, July 17, 2013 – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Masvingo has accused some Zanu PF youths together with soldiers of tearing their posters and intimidating their supporters ahead of the July 31 harmonised elections.

MDC-T provincial secretary and Masvingo Urban aspiring parliamentary candidate Tongai Matutu told Radio VOP that Zanu PF is ‘trying all tricks in the bag in order to disturb peace in Masvingo’.

“Every night hordes of Zanu PF youths and soldiers are moving around destroying our posters. I am the most victimised politician at the moment. We have taken three soldiers and some Zanu PF youths whom we caught red handed to the police but they were not arrested,” said Matutu.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Masvingo province,  Inspector Peter Zhanero told Radio VOP that the police were not selective in the execution of their duty when it comes to political party supporters.

“We do not take sides when it comes to arresting people who violate the law – we are not an extension of any political party,” said Inspector Zhanero.

The Zanu PF supporters shredded the MDC-T posters pasted along Robert Mugabe way on Tuesday evening. However, some determined MDC-T supporters replaced the torn on Wednesday morning painting Masvingo red with Morgan Tsvangirai and Matutu’s posters.

Matutu said he was puzzled to discover that his opponents wanted to provoke his supporters so that they could lose their temper.

“Zanu PF is a party that thrives on violence, they do well when there is violence and now that we are trying to maintain peace, they are coming to provoke us. We are not going to retaliate and I am urging our supporters to remain calm,” he added.

However, Zanu PF candidate for Masvingo Urban constituency Dr Daniel Shumba said he was not aware of the incident.

“I am not responsible for keeping MDC-T posters,” said Shumba.