Opposition trio arrested ahead of Chegutu Ward 1 by-election on ‘frivolous’ charges of defacing Zanu PF posters
THREE members of a campaign team for independent candidate Tonderai Elisha Dausi, who is running in the Chegutu Municipality Ward 1 by election, have been arrested. They face accusations of defacing campaign posters for Zanu PF candidate Gift Konjana. Last week, Dausi was also taken into police custody on the same charges. He was held […] The post Opposition trio arrested ahead of Chegutu Ward 1 by-election on ‘frivolous’ charges of defacing Zanu PF posters appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
THREE members of a campaign team for independent candidate Tonderai Elisha Dausi, who is running in the Chegutu Municipality Ward 1 by election, have been arrested.
They face accusations of defacing campaign posters for Zanu PF candidate Gift Konjana.
Last week, Dausi was also taken into police custody on the same charges. He was held incommunicado for hours before being released without charge.
This weekend, three of Dausi’s runners namely Erasmus Kuwengwa, Tafadzwa Garamukanwa and a Zulu were arrested by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for allegedly pulling down Zanu PF posters.
Dausi lamented the continuing pattern of political persecution ahead of the by election.
“It is with deep concern that we announce that three of our campaign team members were taken away this afternoon by CID Law and Order during today’s campaign on the same baseless allegations previously raised,” said Dausi.
“This development follows a troubling and recurring pattern of similar actions in recent days.
“While we respect lawful processes and remain fully committed to the rule of law, the repeated targeting of our supporters raises serious concern. The emerging pattern points to an effort to intimidate, unsettle, and ultimately disrupt the democratic participation of citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights peacefully and lawfully.’
Dausi said the arrests were an attack on the tenets of democracy.
“Democracy cannot thrive where fear is deployed as a political instrument. We therefore call for transparency, fairness, professionalism, and strict adherence to due process in all actions taken.
“Immediate steps have been initiated to secure their release. Our representatives, together with our security and supporter welfare team, are currently on the ground at ZRP Chegutu Central to ensure that due process is observed and that the rights and safety of our members are fully safeguarded. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as appropriate.
“We remain resolute, peaceful, and unwavering in our commitment to the people and to the democratic process,” Dausi added.
Since the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced the Chegutu Municipality Ward 1 by-election to be held February 21, 2026, the political field has been charged amid intense jockeying by three candidates, namely, Dausi, Konjana of Zanu PF and independent candidate Charles Birisawu
The council seat fell vacant following the untimely passing of Dausi’s friend, Kimpton Mkombwe, in a mine accident late last year. He had won the post in the 2023 election under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) banner.
The post Opposition trio arrested ahead of Chegutu Ward 1 by-election on ‘frivolous’ charges of defacing Zanu PF posters appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
