Opposition Activist’s Home Burnt
An opposition activist,Maclean Phiri who was also an election agent in last month's elections had his home burnt a few days ago by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
DETE-An opposition activist,Maclean Phiri who was also an election agent in last month’s elections had his home burnt a few days ago by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
Speaking to this publication,the activist from Cross Dete,Hwange said the arson attack left him and his family destitutes.
“While I was away with my family at church,a fire broke out at our home.Our neighbours had alerted that some known Zanu PF activists were knocking our gate and asking them about our whereabouts.
“A few minutes after they had left they then called and informed us that the our house was now engulfed in flames but despite our efforts together with our neighbours,we only managed to salvage a few household property.We are now destitutes,”Phiri said.
According to Phiri,he was being targeted for supporting the main opposition party,CCC.
“On numerous occassions the Zanu PF youths in my area have been warning me that they are ‘watching me closely’ for what they claimed ‘dining with regime change agents’.
“During last month’s elections I was an election agent for CCC at Detema Secondary School polling station where together with some local observers we stood up against the Zanu PF affliate ,FAZ, which was manipulating and interfering with electoral processes.From that I think I became a big target,”claims Phiri.
He says the arson attack has left him shaken and is now living in fear particularly because the known perpetrators are scott-free
“To be honest ,my life and family are in grave danger.What is worrying is that despite that I went to report the matter to the police ,the suspects are free.
“They are boasting that they are untouchable and work under instructions so I am desperately looking at ways to protect myself and my family,” a distraught Phiri said.
This incident adds to the spike in reports about intimidation against CCC supporters.The CCC leader Nelson Chamisa has refused to accept the election outcome thus leading to the hunting of opposition activists to thwart protests.
Phiri has been a victim of political harrassment since when the opposition was being led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai.In 2002 presidential elections,Phiri was arrested together opposition activists and spent 8 days in custody before being granted.They were represented by lawyer,Jessie Majome.
