In a briefing with election observers in Harare, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death of Tinashe Chitsunge, a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist group.
Chitsunge tragically lost his life during a clash between CCC supporters and stone-throwing individuals allegedly affiliated with the ruling ZANU PF party. The incident has further deepened tensions surrounding the incident and raised questions about the alleged involvement of ZANU PF supporters.
Matanga informed the observers that the results of the post-mortem examination are still pending. However, he revealed that Chitsunge, aged 44 and residing at 768 Fifth Street in Glen View, was fatally struck by a truck during what is believed to be politically motivated violence. In response to the incident, the police have apprehended 15 suspects, all of whom have been charged with public violence. They appeared before the Magistrates Court and were released on bail of US$100 each. The suspects are scheduled to appear in court again on September 11.
The Police Commissioner General emphasized that, overall, the country’s political climate has remained relatively peaceful in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. While isolated incidents of politically motivated violence have been reported, Matanga assured the observers that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has implemented various measures to create a conducive environment for free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections.
Matanga confirmed that the police force has deployed an adequate number of officers throughout the country to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere not only during the elections but also beyond. Additional support has been enlisted from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services to bolster the security presence. The Commissioner General reassured the invited and accredited observer missions of their safety, emphasizing that the police will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Zimbabwean citizens are scheduled to cast their votes next Wednesday, participating in the election to elect the president, national assembly members, and representatives for local authorities. As the nation prepares for this crucial event, authorities are working diligently to ensure a secure and peaceful electoral process.
The investigation into Tinashe Chitsunge’s tragic death remains ongoing, and the outcome of the post-mortem examination will shed further light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
