HARARE – The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) on Monday accused Zanu PF of escalating political violence against its members following the reported abduction of one of its activists, Moreblessing Ali.
Ali, 46, is a CCC community mobiliser in ward 21 of Chitungwiza North.
According to the party, citing witnesses, Ali was grabbed and forcibly shoved into a vehicle at Chibanguza Shopping Centre by one Piyas Jambo, who is a member of Zanu PF. Jambo is alleged to be the half-brother of Simba Chisango, the Zanu PF leader in the Nyatsime area.
The suspects are both known for using violence and terror in the community.
The abduction allegedly took place at around 9PM on May 24, and the family filed a missing person’s report at Makoni Police Station on the following day.
Last Saturday, hundreds of citizens led by CCC MPs, councillors and community leaders conducted a search party for Ali throughout the Nyatsime area but there was no sign of the missing activist.
The CCC said continued contact with the police has revealed that the chief suspect, Jambo, is also on the run for other criminal offences. He is allegedly facing charges of murder and fraud.
“We condemn the continued disregard of the rule of law by Zanu PF, the flagrant use of violence, the abuse of fundamental human rights and the escalation of political violence against our members,” CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said.
“Zanu PF has a long record of using enforced disappearances as a tool to spread terror with society. The insecurity and fear generated by these despicable acts is not limited to close relatives but also affects communities beyond that which is directly affected.
“Enforced disappearances have no place in a constitutional democracy.”
The party urged the police to protect and secure the lives of all Zimbabweans and investigate Ali’s disappearance in a non-partisan manner.
Government spokesman Ndavaningi Mangwana tweeted on Monday: “Regarding Moreblessing Ali, police will soon issue a public statement giving details. Please bear with us.”
