A member of the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, Tinashe Chitsunge, was stoned to death after suspected supporters of the ruling party, Zanu-PF, ambushed a group of opposition members en route to a political rally. The violence is allegedly politically motivated and has added to the escalating tensions in the country.
CCC's national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, expressed concern and condemned the attack on social media, stating that Chitsunge lost his life due to the assault by suspected Zanu-PF members. However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, did not respond to inquiries, and Zanu-PF's acting information director, Farai Marapira, claimed to be unaware of the incident.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overturned a decision by a lower court that nullified the candidature of 12 CCC parliamentary candidates. The High Court in Bulawayo had annulled the participation of these candidates after being convinced by Zanu-PF activists that they had submitted their nomination papers after the deadline. The CCC, on the other hand, maintained that the candidates had filed their papers on time, which was also confirmed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Following the SCA's decision, Fadzayi Mahere welcomed the ruling, expressing relief that the people of Bulawayo would have the opportunity to choose their own leaders. The decision averted the ruling Zanu-PF's potential advantage, as some of their candidates, including Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, would have run unopposed.
The situation has further intensified political tensions in the country. The opposition has accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government of capturing the judiciary to target its opponents, a claim vehemently denied by Zanu-PF. Zimbabwe's electoral process has been under scrutiny, and the delay in printing ballot papers has raised concerns over the credibility of the upcoming elections.
The tragic death of Tinashe Chitsunge and the court ruling have heightened concerns about the climate of violence and political intolerance in Zimbabwe. As investigations into the incident unfold, the nation awaits a resolution to the crisis, hoping for peaceful campaigns and free, fair elections.
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