MDC chief whip Prosper Mutseyami said some opposition MPs have been receiving death threats from unknown people. The messages allegedly warn the recipients to watch their steps and to stop campaigning for democracy and human rights. He blamed ZANU PF and state security agency, the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). Addressing thousands of MDC supporters who had gathered in central Harare yesterday, Mutseyami said
It’s a sad situation that we would receive these threatening messages from some anonymous funny people, but I know this thing has so much to do with the CIO and the Zanu PF system.
It’s so sad to the democratic situation that we want to nurture in our country, which is being subverted by a system. But this will not stop us from exercising our rights and as well standing up for the people.
One of the messages seen by Newsday reads
Zita rangu ndonzi ‘Death’ Mafreedoms nemarights amunoda kukoshesa aya be careful kuti security in numbers haiwanzobatsiri kana wawega. We are gunning for you!!” (My name is ‘Death’. In your quest for democracy remember that there is no security in numbers).
Mutseyami, who is also the legislator for Dangamvura-Chikanga, said they will not be intimidated by those threatening messages but will remain resolute.