Amember of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in Ward 4 Insiza, Augustine Gumede, is still waiting for justice and compensation for the destruction of his home by suspected Zanu PF members last year. Gumede, who ran in a by-election last year and contested again this year in the just-ended harmonised elections, said he was still waiting for the police to resolve the case.
Gumede was forced to flee after political violence in which CCC members campaigning for by-elections were viciously beaten and injured by suspected Zanu PF members. In an interview, Gumede who ran for the Ward 4 council seat again in the just-ended harmonised election but lost, said he was still waiting for justice.
“Last year, I ran in the by-election in which my home was destroyed. My car was damaged, including the property in my house. My property is still not compensated for up to today,” he said recently in Insiza
“I am not sure if I was supposed to go through that experience because the law hasn’t done much. I also don’t know if there are different types of law in this country for one to be served.”
Gumede found it perplexing that the police were still seeking statements for the incident over a year later.
“Police continue to take statements. I am not sure if they will help me or if I am intended to be helped at all. I no longer have a car and am walking because my car was damaged,” he explained.
“My homestead was destroyed, but I have received no assistance.”
He questioned whether it was illegal to support the opposition in Zimbabwe because members were frequently subjected to political violence with no recourse. During last year’s political violence, the assailants used sticks, logs, fists and stones to beat up other CCC members, including Proportional Representative Bulawayo Member of Parliament, Jasmine Toffa, who were campaigning for Gumede.
The perpetrators were thought to be from the same group who attacked other CCC supporters in Matobo last year. Insiza and Matobo were both having by-elections to fill vacancies left by the deaths of two Zanu PF councillors.
Four vehicles used by CCC campaign teams in Insiza were deflated, with window glass and screens damaged and engines filled with sand, while the attackers took various goods, including money and cell phones. Gumede managed to flee before the attackers could apprehend him.
Source CITE
