Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) potential contender in the Mutoko Rural District Ward 9 failed to file his nomination papers at the Nomination Court after his wife was abducted and had his identity documents seized by suspected Zanu PF thugs the opposition movement claims.
Zanu PF’s Ronald Maodza who was the only candidate nominated has since been duly elected Councillor for Ward 9.
Contacted for a comment on the latest developments CCC deputy national spokesperson Gift Ostallos Siziba accused the ruling Zanu PF of trying to create a one party state.
“We had our prospective candidate’s wife abducted and had his identity documents which are crucial for the nomination court seized so under those circumstances he was unable to file his papers. It is obviously a clear case of escalating political violence with Zanu trying to create a one party state because they want an election without democracy, an election without competition,” Siziba said
Incidences of politically motivated violence have been on the increase recently with opposition supporters crying foul.
Recently, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) said the impending 2023 election is unlikely to see Zimbabwe’s political turmoil as another hotly contested plebiscite looms.
“Beyond being contentious, the post 2018 by-elections have been used as a test for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on implementing reforms in the administration of elections in order for elections in Zimbabwe to pass the credibility test. Zimbabwe may, however, host another hotly contested general election in 2023 as a result of the polarized nature of its politics, the failure of state institutions to prosecute those accountable for election-related violence, and a lack of voter confidence in the Electoral Commission’s independence,” said the group.
