Zimbabwe is no stranger to political drama, especially during election season. Five members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) found themselves in hot water after being accused of destroying a Zanu PF campaign poster bearing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s image.
Dzingai Muzhuzha, Calvin Maronga, Gilbert Zakaria, Richard Sizwebani, and Morgan Chitake were charged with contravening provisions of the Electoral Act after unlawfully pasting a CCC poster bearing presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa’s image on Mnangagwa’s campaign poster.
The incident reportedly took place on July 21 at As You Like It complex in Karoi, which belongs to Richard Ziki, a Zanu PF candidate for Hurungwe Central. The complainant in the case is the State, represented by July Changwe, a member of Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), a Zanu PF affiliate reportedly linked to the State spy agency, the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Changwe filed a police report, leading to the arrest of the five CCC members, who appeared in court on Thursday. Magistrate Moreblessing Makati granted each of them bail of $50,000 and remanded the matter to today for trial.
Unite Saizi of Saizi Law Chambers is representing the accused, while Progress Maponde is prosecuting the case. As the political temperature continues to rise in Zimbabwe, it remains to be seen how this case will impact the outcome of the upcoming elections.
