The international community has condemned Zimbabwe’s
harmonized elections as rigged and a sham.
Analysts who spoke to The Mirror said the incident was not
surprising because State arms are captured and there is conflation between Zanu
PF and the State.
After being alerted by members of the public, Mirror reporters
drove to the CIO offices next to Gutu Police Station this morning and found
hundreds of polling agents and some FAZ members from four Gutu constituencies
namely Gutu Central, South, East and West gathered there.
CIO Director General, Isaac Moyo said he was not aware of
the issue when called for comment by The Mirror.
“I have no knowledge of it,” he said and cut off the call.
“We received our allowances from these offices a few days
after elections. Today we were called on short notice and told to sign papers
to confirm the receipts because there are allegations that some of us were
shortchanged and did not receive the money,” said one of the agents to The
Mirror.
The agents expressed disappointment that they were summoned
to the CIO offices but were not given money for transport and food.
“Now that the elections are over, these people are starting
to abuse us. They called us here but they are not giving us money for transport
or food,” said another agent.
Opposition parties, in particular CCC complained that the
CIO through a shadowy organization called Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) was
in charge of running the elections and had taken control of the Zimbabwe
Electoral Authority (ZEC). FAZ caused havoc in Gutu District where the
elections were heavily rigged as more evidence is emerging.
Presiding officers and in particular school heads who are
members of Teachers4ED have been accused of masterminding the manipulation of
election figures and harassing CCC agents and candidates at the polling
stations.
CCC deputy spokesperson, Gift Siziba said the international
community refused to endorse the harmonized elections because they noticed the
State’s conflation with Zanu PF hence the elections were run by the ruling
party.
“This election was run by FAZ not ZEC that is why all
observer missions refused to endorse it. This also shows the conflation between
Zanu PF and the State,” said Siziba.
Zimbabwe NGO Forum acting director, Wilfred Mandinde said
the State should never be involved in political party business. He said the
development where the CIO is carrying out financial transactions on behalf of a
political party is shocking.
“We have seen arms of the State acting like paramilitaries
of Zanu PF. This has to stop,” said Mandinde.
The Mirror was told that Zanu PF chief gents received
allowances of US$200, roving agents US$160 and ordinary agents US$120. Zanu PF
boasted before the elections that it had millions to spend on the plebiscite.
Gutu District probably suffered the most as it was harassed
by FAZ operatives. Dozens of opposition supporters were jailed for merely
exchanging words with FAZ. They only won their freedom after paying hefty
fines.
CCC Gutu West candidate, Ephraim Murudu who is also a war
veteran was fined US$300 which had to be paid immediately for an incident with
a FAZ girl. Masvingo Mirror
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