The home of prominent Chiredzi activist and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter Cephas Magezani was burned down in a suspected politically motivated arson attack, police said, amid other reports of intimidation targeting the opposition party ahead of elections.
Magezani told TellZim News he believed the fire at his storeroom residence on July 19, 2023 was likely an attempt to intimidate him and other CCC supporters. His comments come a day after suspected Zanu PF supporters reportedly burned campaign posters of Douglas Gumbo, the CCC candidate for Chiredzi South.
“It’s nothing else other than political violence… There is no such coincidence,” Magezani said.
The experienced activist said it was the latest in a series of threatening incidents targeting him for his political beliefs. He said he was abducted and tortured in 2008 after joining the MDC opposition party.
“This is not the first time facing politically motivated incidents…This is the same skill they are trying to use to scare people,” he said.
TellZim News’ efforts to get comment from Sithole were unsuccessful. He did not respond to multiple phone calls.
In Chiredzi Central, residents accused the Forever Associates for Zimbabwe group – alleged to be linked to the CIO intelligence agency – of tearing down CCC candidate Ropafadzo Makumire’s campaign posters. Makumire will face off against Zanu PF’s Francis Moyo and independent Gibson Hwende.
Political violence targeting the opposition is a recurring issue ahead of elections.
