contesting to represent the same constituency. Munyama denied the allegations and argued that he
was arrested while he was pasting his own political campaign posters.
Ordinary residents whose political affiliations were not known were also targeted as can be testified
by Thembelisi Ndhlovu, who was arrested on suspicion of removing posters. However, police did not
have any evidence against her and proceeded to release her after being profiled indicating that they
would summon her after conducting further investigations.
Another ordinary resident Johnson Mlambo of Bulawayo was assaulted by some Zanu PF youths after
he refused to take some flyers that they were handing out to people during a campaign programme.
The bulk of the victims consisted of Tsvangirai supporters, this included Tapiwa Dandajena, who was
arrested on 10 July and scheduled to stand trial in August for allegedly placing an MDC-T poster at
Shamwarijoe Hotel in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central province.
In Bindura, some unidentified MDC-T activists were also apprehended and charged for allegedly
spray-painting some bridges with graffiti.
Other MDC-T victims include Johannes Chipadaza of Rusape, who was remanded out of custody
on $100 bail on 7 August and Stanley Chawira, who was released on free bail by Magistrate Feresi
Chakanyuka.
On 16 July, Simbarashe Mberenga of Bindura was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct
in a public place as defined in Section 41(a) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act).
The State alleged that Mberenga uttered an MDC-T party slogan “Chinja maitiro maitiro chinja”
whilst passing close to some Zanu PF party supporters who were receiving T/Shirts and caps from an
aspiring Councillor one Innocent Zvigumbu. He returned to court on 1 August for commencement of
his trial.
Also up for disorderly behaviour in a public place as defined in Section 41 (a) (b) of the Criminal
Law (Codification and Reform) Act are Ronald Mapfumo and Fanuel Tangi who were arrested at a
shopping centre for allegedly wearing MDC-T T/shirts with the portrait of their party leader Morgan
Tsvangirai.
In Karoi, Mashonaland West province, six MDC-T party supporters including Ophias Chiputire were
arrested and charged with criminal insult after they were accused of insulting Zanu PF member Frank
Ndambakuhwa while they were pasting their party campaign posters.
Still in Karoi, police (only) released some campaign material for Blessing Mandava, the MDC-T
parliamentary aspiring candidate for the Hurungwe East constituency, which had been seized as some
parents claimed that he was conducting some campaigns within Kasimhure Primary School, after the
intervention of lawyers. The police confiscated Mandava’s consignment of campaign material, which
he stored at his house at Kasimhure Primary School where he was teaching.
Several Chinhoyi residents including Charles Mashonganyika, Calisto Mukucha, Farai Chisakambwi,
Desmond Charuza, Lucky Kautende, Defend Chisango, Jefta Twaya, together with Bezel Tsunge
and Patrick Magadzire of Karoi were arrested for pasting political party campaign posters in
Mashonaland West province.
In Chitungwiza, Unganai Dickson Tarusenga, the MDC-T aspiring legislator for St Mary’s constituency
was charged with violating Section 40 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he
allegedly distributed his posters with the support of two youths when more supporters started to assist
him during the elections.
In Bulawayo, Oswell Rusike was spared to stand trial after the complainant in his matter elected to
withdraw charges of contravening Section 153 of the Electoral Act before plea. Rusike had been
arrested and detained at Luveve police station on 16 July on allegations that he defaced a Zanu PF
political campaign poster.
8
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