🟡CCC Members Arrested for Challenging FAZ Presence at Polling Stations
Five members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), including Patrick Cheza and Christopher Mutoboni, were arrested in Chirumanzu on allegedly fabricated charges when peacefully questioning the presence of a shadowy and notorious group, Forever Association of Zimbabwe (FAZ) touts during the recently ended voters’ roll inspection exercise.
These touts, who are linked to ZANU PF, have been accused of meddling in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's (ZEC) previous electoral processes, namely during the recently ended voters' roll inspection exercise where they wrote names down of the citizens who came to physically inspect the roll.
This was viewed as an act of intimidating gullible citizens or a rigging strategy. FAZ has also been accused of rigging ZANU PF elections during past primary elections.
The CCC members were reportedly questioning the presence of touts at the polling stations as they believed it was interfering with the electoral process.
According to reports, the accused arrived at Mazvinba Primary school gate and approached the complainant, grabbing the books held by them and tearing a counter book into two pieces. The motive of the FAZ group is suspected to be a rigging attempt.
“On the 31st Day of May 2023, at around 1100hrs , the two accused persons arrived at Mazvinba Primary school gate and they disembarked from their vehicle. The accused persons approached the complainant and uttered “ Muri kunyora chii pano apa” meaning what are you writing here.
“The accused person grabbed the books which the complainant was holding and they tore one quire counter book into two pieces. Accused persons then left the place,” reads part of the charges against the accused persons.
CCC Spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, voiced concerns over Cheza and four other members' arrest, stating their questioning was peaceful and reasonable.
Mahere asked why the ZEC would allow shadowy groups to interfere with the electoral process, believing the charges are accusations to silence the CCC from carrying out their work.
The CCC spokesperson also expressed disappointment in the government's lack of efforts to address democratic shortcomings in the country.
“⛔️ALERT: We’ve received a report that Patrick Cheza & 4 other CCC members were arrested on fabricated charges for peacefully challenging the presence of Forever Association of Zimbabwe (FAZ) touts at polling stations in Chirumhanzu. Why is @ZECzim allowing shadowy groups to interfere with electoral processes?” She tweeted.
It is not certain what charges the group was arrested on, but advocates of democracy have voiced suspicions that the charges may have been concocted to silence the CCC and discourage their work.
The situation in Zimbabwe has been fraught with political unrest and allegations of election malpractices. With the ongoing tensions surrounding the country's election, it is more important than ever to ensure that electoral processes are transparent and fair.
The arrest of the CCC members highlights the continuing struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe and the need for more efforts to protect the rights of citizens and ensure a free and fair electoral process.
Source: The Citizens’ Daily Bulletin
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