FUNGAYI MUNYORO-CHINGAIRA
CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

CHIPINGE-Two aspiring Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors were allegedly assaulted by Zanu PF supporters in separate incidents on Sunday in Chipinge East.
CCC Chipinge Rural Ward 13 candidate Caleb Chenjerai Dhloko was allegedly assaulted and handcuffed by Zanu PF supporters at Sterling Growth Point. The matter was reported to the Police and is under RRB 5427576.
His Ward 14 counterpart Brighton Nyanise was allegedly attacked at a rally. The purported assailants are also alleged to have insulted him before his children who were at Mapungwana Primary School.
Manicaland Police Spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo said he was yet to receive the report.
Dhloko said his attackers where in a vehicle belonging to Zanu PF Chipinge East constituency candidate Lincoln Dhliwayo. He said Christopher Matambu, a constabulary handcuffed him before he was bundled into the vehicle, assaulted and later dumped.
“I was attacked at Sterling Growth Point They were singing and shouting my name. They took my phone thinking that I was recording videos. Matambu handcuffed me and i was thoroughly assaulted. They forced me to call our party’s Chipinge East candidate and cluster Chairperson Mateo Mlambo to tell him that they had beaten me.
“I’m in pain as I speak. They then dumped at a bushy area in Mukono,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Dhliwayo were futile as his mobile was not reachable by the time of going to Press.
Nyanise said his attackers disrupted his rally at a business centre and they proceeded to Mapungwana Primary School where his children were and insulting him.
He identified a staunch Zanu PF supporter, Ruth Mabato is the one who led the supporters and began shouting obscenities.
“We were having our meeting and Zanu PF supporters invaded the meeting and began singing and scolding me. They went to Mapungwana Primary School where my children were and continued insulting me. The one who started the whole thing is Ruth Mabato,” he said.
Mlambo condoned the violence and urged Police to investigate the incidents.
“This is bad. Most people are now afraid after these two incidents. Zanu PF supporters are going against what President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said. He said no to violence and yet there is violence in Chipinge East.
“I am pleading with the Police to help us. They must do their job. We have since reported the matter at Mandere Police station under RRB number 5427576. Councillor Dhloko has been treated at Chipinge District Hospital,” he said.