HARARE - Police claim President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party has been infiltrated by civil society organisations which are funnelling secret information from the party to Western nations.

Charity Charamba, the police spokesperson, said after a “lawful” raid at Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), it emerged that the organisation, through observers deployed countrywide, had infiltrated Zanu PF structures.
But Zanu PF immediately said they are unaware of such developments.

 “I have not received any information pertaining to what you are telling me, it is news to me. But if it is true, it will not surprise me although they will not conquer us,” said Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF spokesperson.

ZPP is a non-governmental organisation led by Jestina Mukoko, who was once abducted in 2008 by police on allegations on banditry and treason.

She was, however, freed of the charges by the courts.

Charamba said ZPP was operating illegally and working with ex-military personnel to discredit watershed polls set for later this year.

She paraded a microlink radio and a cell-phone recovered from a raid at ZPP offices, which she said form part of equipment used by the NGOs to disseminate hate language and falsehoods against Zanu PF.

Zanu PF used to enjoy massive support in rural areas but since 2005, the support base has dwindled significantly.

These radios are popular in rural areas where the State broadcaster has a weak frequency.

“They are not registered with our regulatory authority. They are also not licensed according to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Charamba.

She said ZPP has given naming codes to all political parties in a bid to mislead the public.

“Zanu PF is code number 3, MDC-T is code number 8, MDC-N code 2 and Mavambo number 5. The coding is (normally) done by either the military or police,” revealed the Charamba.

 “From evidence gathered so far, arrests will be made but as you know we investigate to arrest we don’t just arrest until we have facts and evidence at hand,” said Charamba.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara yesterday told Parliament that the harassment of civil society organisations should end. - Xolisani Ncube