Zimbabwe Opposition Says Supporters Assaulted As Vote Nears
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 26, 2022 | 10:30 PM
Zimbabwe's main opposition group claimed Friday that its supporters have come under systematic attacks ahead of next year's national vote, as rights groups warn of a worsening crackdown on opponents
Harare, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Aug, 2022 ) :Zimbabwe's main opposition group claimed Friday that its supporters have come under systematic attacks ahead of next year's national vote, as rights groups warn of a worsening crackdown on opponents.
Nelson Chamisa, who leads the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), said political gatherings in four rural areas had to be called off this week after attackers beat up would-be attendees and damaged their vehicles.
"There is unprecedented violence -- terror has become a daily dose," he told a press conference in the capital Harare.
"People in those communities are not allowed to freely associate." A police spokesman said they were "yet to receive any reports" of the alleged violence.
The CCC is an offshoot of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance party, which lost by a tight margin against the long-ruling ZANU-PF party in Zimbabwe's 2018 general elections.
ZANU-PF representatives could not immediately be reached by phone to comment on Chamisa's allegations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a statement claiming four journalists were also victims of a "brutal assault" after filming a convoy of ZANU-PF vehicles on Thursday that were reported to be blockading the CCC rally in the central town of Gokwe.
"Zimbabwean authorities must investigate and hold those responsible to account," CPJ's Africa coordinator Angela Quintal said in a statement.
They must "ensure that the press can report freely without fear of attack, especially with the country set to hold national elections next year", she said.
Recent Stories
Turkey court jails Kurdish leader for 42 years over 2014 unrest
KP Governor; Aftab Sherpao discuss political situation of KP
Nigeria lawmaker's plan for mass wedding of orphans sparks uproar
LHC summons committee responsible for appointing judges to special courts
Pakistan embassy in Brussels hosts panel discussion on science diplomacy for imp ..
AJK PM expresses gratitude to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif for announcing a histor ..
Arab League calls for UN peacekeepers in Palestinian territories
Chad junta chief officially wins election
Divided Slovakia at 'turning point' after PM shooting
At Arab summit, UN chief reaffirms call to Israel to halt Rafah assault as aid s ..
PM congratulates newly elected AEMEND's office-bearers
Stocks waver after hitting record highs
More Stories From World
-
Turkey court jails Kurdish leader for 42 years over 2014 unrest
30 minutes ago -
Nigeria lawmaker's plan for mass wedding of orphans sparks uproar
30 minutes ago -
Arab League calls for UN peacekeepers in Palestinian territories
37 minutes ago -
Chad junta chief officially wins election
32 minutes ago -
Divided Slovakia at 'turning point' after PM shooting
32 minutes ago -
At Arab summit, UN chief reaffirms call to Israel to halt Rafah assault as aid stocks dwindle
37 minutes ago
-
UK's Labour sets out plans for government
31 minutes ago -
S.Africa tells UN court to halt Israel for genocide in Gaza
32 minutes ago -
Russia expels UK defence attache in tit-for-tat move
2 hours ago -
Dow tops 40,000 points as US stocks add to gains
2 hours ago -
Walmart profits rise on strong sales from wealthier shoppers
2 hours ago -
Brazil's Porto Alegre: a flood disaster waiting to happen
2 hours ago