Zanu PF supporters on retribution exercise

MUTARE -Ruling Zanu PF activists have gone on a retribution exercise beating up and harassing supporters of the opposition MDC in Mutasa South constituency.
About 60 families in the constituency have been displaced as a result of the campaign which is directed towards perceived opposition supporters and sympathisers.
White commercial farmers in the constituency have also not been spared. War veterans have circulated letters directing the farmers to vacate their properties within 10 hours or face dire consequences.
One such letter in possession of this journalist reads in part: “If you are celebrating the outcome of the harmonized elections partial results in unison with your brethren before the outcome of the final polls be advised you risk vacating that location unceremoniously forthwith within 10 hours from this moment.”
The letters are signed by war veterans in Manicaland Province.
Much of the violence is directed at MDC supporters in areas such as EN Avant Farm and Grange.
“People are being beaten for supporting the MDC,” said Misheck Kagurabadza, who won the constituency on an MDC ticket.
Kagurabadza has sourced blankets which he is distributing to displaced families. However, he is now appealing for food and medicine for he victims of the retribution exercise.
The MP elect said a report has already been made at Penhalonga Police Station, 20 km north of Mutare. The Reports Received Book (RRB) number is 0068705. Inspector Machipisa is handling the matter.
One of the affected MDC activists is John Saramu, 39, an election agent during the just ended polls. Saramu was assaulted and suffered serious injuries. He lost ZW$5 billion, a radio and MDC regalia were confisticated by the war veterans that attacked him.
However, Kagurabadza said the MDC has positively identified those instigating the violence.
He said the have been identified as Fabion Gume and Cassim Nasho.