Chengetai Zvauya
HARARE – Opposition political parties say they are now living in fear and have begun requesting State security details for future public appearances. This follows a blast that occurred at a ZANU PF rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, which the Government has described as an act of terrorism.
One person has been confirmed dead from the blast, which injured over 40 others, among them Vice President Kembo Mohadi and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Marry.
Political parties who spoke to Business Times said they were, as of this morning, writing to Government seeking protection.
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) president Lovemore Madhuku said elimination of a presidential candidate can lead to the postponement of presidential polls.
“It is important for the State to consider the security of those who have filed their nomination papers as presidential candidates to ensure that nothing will happen to them in terms of their security,” he said.
MDC Alliance chairperson Morgan Komichi said the Bulawayo blast was a cause for concern, therefore there was need for the party to beef up its security.
“We hope that security will be provided to our party leadership as we are in the middle of a campaign. Although we have our own security details we also welcome State security,” said Komichi.
“No one is safe in this game, it can happen to any political leader and so security must be tightened up,” he added.
Thokozani Khupe said she welcomes Government’s proposal to provide security.
“Everyone is sad and we feel this could be targeted at any of the presidential candidates,” she said.
Meanwhile, investigations on the Bulawayo blast are still on-going with the Zimbabwe Republic Police offering a reward to anyone with details that could help crack the case.
