SEVERAL MDC-T officials, including deputy national organising secretary Amos Chibaya (Mkoba MP), Harare West MP Jessie Majome, and other ordinary members of the opposition party allegedly received death threats ahead of Thursday’s successful mass protest against grinding poverty and corruption.
Staff Reporter
Chibaya and Majome yesterday confirmed receiving death threats on their mobile phones from an anonymous number written “Hitman”.
“I am aware of your involvement in the MDC-T demonstrations on Thursday. Your participation will be met with death.
You will die together with your wife and children. Zimbabwe was borne (sic) through bloodshed,” the message read.
“I have plenty of space to bury your corpse, be warned. Your involvement is clear indication of joining your ancestors. I am watching your steps 24/7. Don’t try to be a hero, be warned of your participation in the planning of tomorrow’s demonstrations. MDC-T demos invite death at your footstep.”
The message further reads: “I have killed many. If you want me to add your name on my death list, continue participating in tomorrow’s MDC-T demo.”
Chibaya said he was unfazed by the death threats.
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“They won’t deter me at all. I won’t be victimised because I do not fear anyone. All that I want is to free the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Chibaya said he had reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Base 27 (First Street) under reference number 1590-16.
Majome said she got the death threats two days before the Thursday MDC-T demonstration, while she was travelling on Parliament business.
“They said I should not turn up for the demonstration and even threatened my 13-year-old son. I am worried because my previous experience with these death threats proved that they are difficult to investigate due to that one cannot tell which network was used. The messages have no number and the source is only identified as Hitman,” she said.
“They are very ugly messages, and last time, they were copied to my son. All I can say is that the Lord is my shepherd, and that the people who are sending the messages should identify themselves. I suspect it is State machinery at work.”
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu confirmed that different MDC-T activists had received the death threats.
“We are not surprised because Zanu PF is in panic mode, as they now see the MDC-T in resurgence. They are not sleeping, they are worried because they know they cannot beat us. We are going to continue to fight for democratic change,” he said.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the issue would be investigated if the MDC-T officials make formal police reports.
