A Zimbabwe Opposition Candidate Disappears Following Death Threats

A Zimbabwean opposition candidate in the 29 March general elections has gone missing amid allegations he had earlier received death threats from ruling ZANU PF party supporters.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said its candidate for Rushinga local government elections, Edison Muwengwa, was last seen on 15 February, the day he filed nomination papers to contest the polls end of March.

The opposition party has claimed an upsurge in politically motivated violence against its members by supporters of ZANU PF since President Robert Mugabe announced the election date in January.

MDC director of information and former journalist, Luke Tamborinyoka, criticised the police for acting slowly after learning the candidate was reported missing and his relatives had reported cases of harassment by ruling party supporters.

Rushinga lies on Zimbabwe’s northern border with Mozambique and is a stronghold of President Mugabe’s ZANU PF.

Zimbabweans choose a president, House of Assembly, senatorial and council representatives in polls scheduled for 29 March.

Source African Press Agency

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