By Own Correspondent
A number of female Citizens for Coalition Change activists were harassed for attending the opposition party’s mega rally at Gwanzura Stadium on rally.
The quartet of Chipo Ndlovu, Petronella Garwe, Gamuchirao and Sandra Mandizvidza were briefly detained by detectives from the dreaded PISI (Police Intelligence Security) at Machipisa Police Station where they were intensely interrogated.
One of the activists, Sandra Mandizvidza who is a former Standard newspaper journalist who worked in the late Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office said they were subjected to threats and degrading treatment before being released without a charge.
“To imagine this was a place where the late Morgan Tsvangirai got the beatings of his life sent shivers down our spine.
” To my shock, they singled me out for being a regime change agent working with The Standard and the opposition, “she narrated.
Another victim, Petronella Garwe complained of the sexual assault they were subjected to during the close to 4 hours detention.
” We were called all sorts of derogatory names like being prostitutes of Biti and Chamisa.
“I was fondled by one security detail and it really traumatised,” Garwe said.
The incident confirms the long held believe that women in politics face engendered political violence calculated to scare them from participating in politics.
Veteran broadcaster Jestina Mukoko was abducted by security agents in 2008 following her record