afrol News, 25 April - Six members of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change have reportedly been shot dead by the loyalists of the ruling Zanu-PF of President Robert Mugabe.

Four MDC members have been killed in Guruve, seven shot in Rusape, and one of them on his way to the hospital.

One MDC activist in Hurungwe North, Tapiwa Mubwanda was reportedly killed by Jawet Kazangarare and Private Peter Madamombe, a militia of the Zanu-PF and soldier of Zimbabwe National Army, respectively.

The main opposition has raised concerned about the spate of killings, and urged the United Nations to send peacekeepers to immediately stop the violence against unarmed and defenseless citizens, whose crime if there is any, is to vote for change. The UN is also urgently called to provide humanitarian aid to the victims.

According to 'The Zimbabwean', reports from the rest of the provinces paint a bloodcurdling picture, with army barracks across the country accused of issuing war veterans and former security officers with AK 47 assault rifles to protect themselves against anticipated attacks by the MDC and its foreign supporters, particularly on former white-owned farms.

But sources believed that the issuing of weapons which began on 24 April was meant to instill fear among rural opposition supporters ahead of a possible poll run-off.

MDC supporters in Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces have been forced to organize themselves into local defence units to fight back violence and intimidation by war veterans, military personnel and Zanu-PF militia. On Thursday, fierce battles erupted in the village of Makaha in Mutuko/Mudzi, Mashonaland East while opposition supporters tried to repel an attack by the ruling party thugs.

The key MDC leadership, including the party leader Morgan Tsvangirai have left the country, and have since been crying foul against electoral fraud and mistreatment of their supporters.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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