Ashley Masakadza

The recent arrest of Citizen Coalition for Change members by the police is now a serious cause for political concern as it now appear as if the opposition party is being punished for failing to recognize the electoral victory of President Emmerson Mnangagwa from the just ended elections.

The month of September has seen high ranking politicians from the CCC party getting arrested for public order offences. Among those arrested are the opposition party’s Deputy Spokesperson and Member of Parliament Gift Ostallos Siziba, who is being charged by Bulawayo police for inciting violence at the just ended football match between Highlanders F.C and Dynamos F.C at Barbourfields Stadium. He is also being accused of defacing campaign posters of a contesting member.

The charges came after he posted a picture of himself wearing a Highlanders F.C shirt, with a caption saying “We fear fokol” on the same day that the Barbourfields Stadium violence broke out.

The Deputy Mayor of the City of Harare Kudzai Kadzombe was also arrested by Marlborough police for assaulting a ZANU PF activist and is set to appear in court on an undisclosed date. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights will be representing her in the case.

A Member of Parliament for Sunningdale Constituency Maureen Kademaunga was also arrested for attempted murder and damage to property charges along with two other CCC members. However, her charges were dropped after the police failed to produce substantiable evidence to support their claims.

This has irked the opposition party which is now accusing the ruling party of using the police to try and get 2 thirds majority in parliament through force.

“After failing to secure two thirds majority in parliament, even under the conditions of a rigged, disorganized, fraudulent and unfree election, the regime now seeks to dubiously achieve this through the arrest of our Members of Parliament,” Reads a statement on CCC’s official X account.

Dr Ibbo Mandaza also voiced his concerns on his X account,” Is it mere coincidence that opposition figures are being arrested and charged variously across the country?.What’s going on ?Back to the future or the last days of endgame? Hardly a reflection of someone who has won a game fairly.”

The arrests are now painting a negative image on the ruling Zanu PF party. It now appears as if it is persecuting the opposition party for failing to endorse the electoral victory of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

They are also soiling the image of the police.