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Opposition candidate murdered in Marondera
Lance Guma, SW Radio Africa
September 05, 2007

http://www.swradioafrica.com/news050907/mdcdead050907.htm

Those predicting a free and fair election next year were left re-evaluating their optimism after an opposition candidate was stabbed to death last Friday. Jabulani Chiwoka, an MDC candidate in next year's rural district council elections, died from stab wounds after suspected Zanu PF thugs attacked him at a beerhall in the Svosve communal area of Marondera. Another party activist, Tafiranyika Ndoro, is in a Marondera hospital recovering from stab wounds. The Svosve area witnessed the first farm invasion in June 1998, which preceded the more violent invasions of 2000. Zanu PF militants in the area have traditionally ensured the place is a no-go area for the opposition.

Some reports quote Kerry Kay, a secretary for welfare in Tsvangirai's MDC, saying Chiwoka attended a local Zanu PF meeting last Thursday before delegates there branded him a trespasser. She said his national ID number was jotted down as others made threats to him. The stabbings are alleged to have taken place an evening after that meeting.

Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa confirmed the incident but refused to be drawn into disclosing the circumstances surrounding the murder. He says the MDC are awaiting a report from their province before they can make any authoritative comments. Although he added that police were still investigating the murder he warned that, 'police don't normally cooperate when crimes are politically motivated.' He expressed concern at the possibility of a bloody election campaign ahead saying, 'the Zanu PF demon of violence seems to be re-incarnating.'

Last week a section of the country's war veterans demonstrated in support of Mugabe's disputed candidacy for presidential elections scheduled for next year. With some of the participants calling for MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai to be barred from the poll, observers say the event was a warning shot to the opposition and a subtle reminder that Zanu PF still has a violent wing that can be unleashed any time.

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