The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) has accused members of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) of violently abducting its opposition party members while conducting a citizen engagement exercise in Chitungwiza North. According to UZA, its members were attacked and injured, with one member’s ear cut with pliers. The opposition party has since filed a police report with the Harare Central Police Station.
The UZA further alleged that the suspects were driving a black Honda fit and had attempted to abduct their team of five members. The Zanu-PF members reportedly hijacked UZA’s party vehicle and drove them an estimated 11km out of Chitungwiza in an abduction attempt. The suspects also robbed the members of their cash, cell phones, and other personal items.
The UZA condemned the violent act and called on all political parties to uphold peaceful and fair elections. They said that such violent acts are an affront to democracy and the principles of peaceful and free campaigning. The opposition party urged everyone to exercise restraint and uphold the principles of a politically plural society, in which all political parties are entitled to carry out their campaigns peacefully.
All five UZA members sought medical care and counseling following the attack, with the party’s Harare provincial youth leader requiring stitches due to injuries sustained during the incident. The UZA hopes that the culprits will be brought to justice and face the full weight of the law. One of the suspects is alleged to be an aspiring Member of Parliament (MP).
