Beware the Crocodile, opposition leader urges

Nelson Chamisa urges world to keep eyes on’ President Mnangagwaamid fears of repression in run-up to poll

- Jason Burke and Nyasha Chingono HARARE

The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party has warned of violence and repression by the ruling Zanu-PF party to ensure victory in elections scheduled for later this year.

Nelson Chamisa, president of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), called on the international community to have "eyes on" the struggling southern African country despite other crises around the world and to "offer solidarity" to those fighting for change there.

"Here too, people are being killed for their opinions. Zimbabweans want to see change and want to see a transformation," Chamisa said.

The elections, set to be held in July or August, will be the second after the military takeover that ended the rule of veteran leader Robert Mugabe in 2017 and brought Emmerson Mnangagwa, one of the former dictator's chief lieutenants, to power.

Hopes of an era of reform, democracy and accountability after the 37 years of Mugabe's increasingly authoritarian regime proved misplaced. Critics of the new government have faced crackdowns while economic conditions for most people have worsened.

Mnangagwa, whose guile and alleged brutality earned him the nickname "the Crocodile", is expected to stand for a second term.

"The leopard has not changed its spots... the crocodile has not changed its antics and tactics, so violence is a big fear. Violence is the Zanu-PF's default setting. We see dark clouds gathering," Chamisa said.