JUSTICE minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and former Zanu PF
political commissar, Webster Shamu have been implicated in the violence that
rocked the Chegutu ward 2 by-election at the weekend.
A post-election fight erupted between Zanu PF and MDC
polling agents at a polling station in the Chegutu ward 2 by-election, but
independent election lobby group, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) has
accused the two of fanning violence.
According to the Zesn preliminary report released on
Sunday, violence broke out after the arrival of Ziyambi in the company of
Shamu.
“The political environment in the ward was reported to be
peaceful from morning until around 6pm when Minister of Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi is said to have passed by
Madhatter Pre-school polling station in the company of former Zanu PF political
commissar Webster Shamu,” part of the report read.
“Zesn observers reported having witnessed the Justice
minister reaching out to a Zanu PF agent who was tracking polling proceedings
outside the polling station. An altercation broke out with MDC Alliance agents
and party supporters with the latter accusing the Zanu PF provincial leadership
of trying to ‘rig the election’,” the statement read.
The election lobby group said political parties and their
supporters should demonstrate restraint during campaigns and on the election
day and desist from any actions that may enhance political tensions during
electoral campaigns and polling.
“Tensions between the two political parties’ supporters
were reported to have been high during the day with supporters from both
parties congregating within 300 metres of the polling station, at different
intervals,” Zesn noted.
“This is in violation of provisions outlined under the
Fourth Schedule of the Electoral Act which forbids campaigning on election day
and also holding party activities within 300 metres of polling stations.”
Zesn said despite the post voting altercations, the
preparations for the by-election went according to expected standards which it
said was a good practice by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
The MDC retained the seat in the Saturday by-election, with
its candidate Charles Chinamira pulling 240 votes against Zanu PF candidate’s
Prosper Mutongerwa who got 184 votes. Newsday
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