…as police crackdown on opposition continue unabated
Centre News Reporter
FOUR Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members who were arrested in Ndanga, Zaka District on Saturday appeared before a Masvingo magistrate, Farai Gwitima on Monday, facing charges of allegedly holding an ‘unsanctioned’ political meeting at one of their colleague’s homestead.
The four; Johanes Chongore (55) Manners Mundoga (51) Method Gwangava (41) and Tendayi Machisani  (58) spent the weekend in filthy police cells at Masvingo Central Police station.
Magistrate Gwitima granted the four a 10 000 RTGS bail each.
Their Lawyer, Martin Mureri said they were arrested at the home of their female colleague Machisani.
“Four CCC members; 3 male and a female activist have appeared before a Masvingo magistrate facing charges of holding an unsanctioned political party meeting at Machisani’s homestead. The charges are flimsy as they were just at home,” said Mureri.
CCC senior Change Champion, Jeffreyson Chitando said “the crack down on our members by police is a Zanu PF strategy to intimidate them ahead of next year’s crucial polls.”
He added that the ruling party was fretting and scared following their recent infiltration of their stronghold, the rural areas.
“This shows that the ruling party is fretting and is ready to unleash violence and intimidation due to our recent activities in the rural areas, we are penetrating their strongholds and they are not happy with that,” said Chitando.
Zanu PF provincial chairperson, Robson Mavhenyengwa said he couldn’t comment on the issue since it did not involve his party members.

“That is an issue for the police, I can’t comment on that matter but I would have done so if it involved Zanu PF members. However, I will have to inquire from our members in Ndanga just to know what happened,” said Mavhenyengwa.