Chamisa has kept the nation guessing on his next move after
rejecting the results of the August 23 to 24 elections which saw President
Emmerson Mnangagwa being declared the winner.
The opposition leader was expected to file a Constitutional
Court application challenging the results, but he didn’t.
He has, however, dispatched his top party officials on a
diplomatic offensive to court the support of regional leaders for a fresh
election.
Chamisa told NewsDay yesterday in an interview that this
has prompted Zanu PF and State security agents to harass his supporters
demanding to know what he is planning after disputing the election results.
“We are going to take this matter up with the relevant
authorities, the police to make sure that investigations are done and we are
going to raise this issue internationally and with the region to say this is
unacceptable,” Chamisa said.
He was speaking to journalists after visiting CCC
councillor-elect Womberaiishe Nhende and party supporter Sonele Mukhulani, who
were allegedly abducted and tortured by suspected State security agents on
Saturday.
They are admitted to a private hospital in the capital.
Lawyers representing the two CCC members Douglas Coltart
and Tapiwa Muchineripi from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, were
arrested on Monday after they reportedly objected to their clients being
interviewed by the police.
Coltart and Muchineripi were granted US$100 bail each
yesterday when they appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi facing a charge
of obstructing the course of justice.
The lawyers, who are being represented by Jeremiah Bhamu
and Alec Muchadehama, had their case remanded to October 20.
“My deputy chief election agent, Coltart, a lawyer, and his
colleague are being victimised. Not them alone, but scores of citizens are
being victimised,” Chamisa said.
“We do not expect torture. People have just voted. It was a
disputed election, a fraud election and beyond that you torture people — for
what reason?
“They (victims) reiterated to me the circumstances under
which they were abducted. It is very unfortunate.
“I am extremely concerned that people are being subjected
to torture and terror on account of politics.
“This is a serious issue. The reason they were tortured is
they had said they didn’t have information on what I am doing.
“I do not do things nicodemously or undercover. What we do,
we do openly peacefully and constitutionally.
And we have rights, we will exercise those rights.”
He said Zanu PF had embarked on a retribution campaign
against his supporters across the country.
“The security and protection of the citizens is a big
issue, but what is clear is that Mr Mnangagwa does not have the consent of the
people,” Chamisa said.
“You don’t use force where there is love. You don’t use
coercion where you have persuaded; there is a clear position that we won this
flawed election resoundingly at all levels, that is why there is backlash.“
Zanu PF acting information director, Farai Marapira, said
Chamisa was seeking attention.
“If there is such a person who has been victimised, the law
will take its course,” Marapira said.
“In the absence of such evidence, Zanu PF will just regard
it as internal power dynamics within the CCC. Zanu PF does not victimise or
haunt people.
“We will not pay attention to such baseless allegations
because we have a mandate to serve the people. That is what we are focusing
on.”
CCC is rallying the regional community to nullify last
month’s polls.
Election observer missions, including from the Southern
African Development Community (Sadc), have issued damning reports criticising
the polls as not credible.
Mnangagwa was sworn in on Monday at a ceremony attended by
three Sadc presidents; Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Felix Tshisekedi (DRC)
and Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique). Newsday
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