By 
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has condemned the crude use of violence targeting opposition supporters following the brutal attacks on Citizens Coalition for Change supporters by suspected ZANU PF thugs in Murehwa last week.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East and Southern Africa,Flavia Mwangovya,said that the brutal attacks against supporters of the opposition parties undermined democratic principles.
“This callous, politically motivated attack against older people who had simply attended a gathering for a political opposition party is outrageous. Such cruel acts of violence, which have repeatedly marred Zimbabwe’s political landscape in the past, gravely threaten the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,”she said
Elderly citizens were beaten by suspected Zanu PF thugs in Ward 4 of Bhunu Village, Murehwa North, Murehwa and sustained injuries as a result of the brutal assault.Victims could be seen being mercilessly kicked and beaten with sticks in a viral video that captured the whole incident.
Amnensty International said that stakeholders in the political arena should refrain from issuing statements that may incite violence against the opposition as the country gears up for the 2023 general elections scheduled for this year.
“These attacks are clearly intended to harass and intimidate members of political opposition in the months leading up to Zimbabwe’s upcoming election and could have a chilling effect throughout the country.
”The Zimbabwean authorities must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of politically motivated violence and refrain from issuing inflammatory statements that could incite similar attacks or deter people from expressing support to political parties of their choice,”added Mwangovya.
One suspect has been nabbed in connection with the assault and Amnesty International called on the law enforcement agents to launch a thorough, independent and impartial investigation and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice regardless of their political affiliation.
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