In an interview with The Standard, Chamisa said the ‘God is
in it’ mantra perfectly fits his predicament after being shut out from
campaigning.
“We have done everything in our capacity,” Chamisa said. “No
relevant body or individual is not aware of our situation in this country.
“We have gone to the courts, but you are aware of the
latest High Court judgment about the voters roll.
“After having done all this, Zimbabwe is in the ultimate
hands of the Lord. After having done that God is our saviour.”
Police have banned several CCC rallies and also
parliamentary feedback meetings for opposition party legislators on charges of
failing to comply with the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (Mopa).
The opposition party claims that over 60 of its planned rallies
have been blocked since its inception in February last year.
Police have also arrested scores of opposition party
supporters during party gatherings with CCC legislator Job Sikhala clocking
almost a year in pre-trial detention.
Zec has also refused to release the voters' roll despite
calls by CCC and other electoral stakeholders to have access to the document.
The High Court last week ruled against an application by
CCC legislator Alan Markham, which sought to compel Zec to release the voters'
roll.
Government has
fast-tracked the Private Voluntary (PVO) Bill, which has been heavily
criticised for shrinking the democratic space if it is signed into law.
Zanu PF has also reportedly resorted to violence, with
scores of opposition supporters being assaulted.
Chamisa said they have resigned to fate despite claiming
the party was busy behind the scenes canvassing for votes.
“We are doing a lot
of work behind the scenes and we will not stop,” he said.
“When I say God is
in it, I know what I will be talking about.”
His ‘God is in it mantra’ has been a butt of jokes for his
critics, but Chamisa said he won’t dump it.
“No matter what people say, I will not be swayed from
putting my faith and trust in the Lord,” he said.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
insisted that CCC was not being prevented from campaigning and claimed that
Mopa was being applied fairly to all political players.
“Last week we had a situation where both parties (Zanu PF
and CCC) notified the police to hold a rally at the same venue, but police
allowed CCC to hold the rally at the venue under the discretion that it had
applied first for the venue,” Nyathi said.
“But when the politicians talk about these issues, they
tend to exaggerate.” Standard
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