Widespread reports of terror gangs spreading, not only in Mbare which for long has been the epicentre of political violence, but in other areas, sets a very disturbing trend in view of the 2018 watershed elections.
guest column: Learnmore Zuze
This is so given the foolproof strategy that has been adopted by outright criminals who brand vehicles with Zanu PF material to terrorise people, law enforcers included.
It’s clear, the branding of vehicles with First Lady Grace Mugabe’s portrait serves a sole purpose and that is to strike fear into the hearts of the masses.
Terror gangs, to their advantages, have been fingered as already operating in rural areas and a few urban centres.
The politically-inspired violence is in one way or the other linked to one party and there can be no mistake as to its identity. As the nation holds its breath for the next elections, these incidences can only get worse.
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Mbare pioneered the terror groups’ strategy headed by dread master, Jim Kunaka, who led Chipangano.
Now, we hear of the terror groups spreading their wings to even smaller towns.
Chipangano, the dark force that terrorised Mbare, would extort money from commuter omnibus operators in the full view of law enforcement agents.
Mbare froze with fear ahead of the 2008 election and every bus that picked passengers had to part with a handsome fee. Citizens were beaten to pulp for refusing to attend Zanu PF rallies.
It is very likely that in the absence of real action against these devious elements, 2018 will not be any different.
There were claims by some members of Chipangano that the money receipted would be taken to the party, but up to date, no evidence has been produced to this effect.
This represents the height of lawlessness that grips Zimbabwe at election time. To begin with, it is even illegal for ordinary citizens to collect money under the guise of a party; that is business for the council of Harare.
One is left with no option, but to believe, with all sincerity, that we have political leaders in office who preach one message during the day and another during the night time.
That no meaningful investigations were launched into these criminal activities simply throws weight behind the logical notion that some bigwigs were behind the activities and benefited immensely from the criminal acts.
This is exactly the Zimbabwe we should all fight against; a Zimbabwe where there is one law for the rich and powerful of society and another for the poor and weak.
Even more, there was no secret as to the nocturnal operations of Chipangano, for instance, these unruly people carried their criminal activities in the light of day that a sincere law enforcement unit backed by its superiors should have weeded out these malcontents.
It is indeed a bad omen that these terror groups are resurfacing, and this time more vicious while we claim to have the rule of law.
Even pronouncements by Zanu PF politburo members Sydney Sekeramayi (war veterans’ secretary) and Saviour Kasukuwere (political commissar) that some of their party activists, political hooligans and criminals had resorted to driving in vehicles branded with President Robert Mugabe and Grace’s portraits to evade arrest do not quell the existence of these activities.
It is the sincerity part that we should all demand. Things should be actioned and not merely spoken about.
Nothing has been done so far on the criminality being perpetrated on farmers who bring their produce to Mbare Musika by the same gang now led by a different leader. Extortion is rampant.
And just like anything else, there is a common tendency for these criminal activities to be replicated. Kwekwe, now has its own version known as Al-Shabaab.
This group is well known throughout the Midlands province and attacks are being reported regularly. The police have only watched.
The political stamina of these terror gangs is certainly anchored in some superior authority.
It is the worst part of the whole phenomenon of terror groups that the police are not forthcoming insofar as activities of these groups are concerned.
One wonders exactly where they derive authority to receipt supposed council money.
How exactly can they be engaging in such thuggery under the watch of police officers?
It only points to a bloody 2018. No doubt, the terror will have to be heightened in the subsequent months leading to the election.
People will also remember with an acute sense of sadness the notorious bases set up in the bloody presidential 2008 June run off.
In the high-density areas, people were force-marched to rallies. Dissenters were maimed and killed in the rural areas.
It is against this back drop that the opposition, MDC-T in particular, must really court wisdom here. There is no joy in participating in an election that would yield the same.
An escalation in violence and terror groups can only mean Zanu PF forcefully retaining power. Participating under the obtaining playing field will only serve to legitimise the sham of elections.
MDC-T must learn from the past; no one would listen to cries of a rigged poll if they allow themselves to march into a violence-marred poll.
In fact, insisting on participating under current conditions for the opposition is an act of endangering its supporters.
Terror must stop and how that is done is discussion for another day, but stop it must.