Back to Index

Retired soldiers intimidate Makuvise villagers
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
July 06, 2011

Retired soldiers are allegedly intimidating and victimizing villagers of Makuvise village in Buhera West accusing them of 'reversing the gains of independence' by supporting the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Villagers who attended a community meeting held by the Crisis in Zimbabwe on the 2nd of July 2011 identified the perpetrators as Mzilikazi, Nzuma, Chiwira, Terias Madzibaba and Shoko who are popular in the village for heading terror campaigns and organizing groups of armed forces and militia to intimidate and victimize perceived opponents during election periods.

Participants at the meeting, which was attended by 27 females and 55 males and graced by the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, Honorable Advocate Eric Matinenga, also lamented the partisan role played by traditional leaders particularly during elections which has led them losing the respect of fellow villagers. The objective of the meeting was to update the people in Buhera on the progress of the constitution making process and possible elections. The meeting also discussed electoral matters including outlining the outstanding issues of the elections roadmap being negotiated by the political parties in the inclusive government. The meeting was addressed by Crisis Coalition Programs Manager Pedzisayi Ruhanya while Minister Matinenga assisted in responding to questions on the constitution making process.

Reminiscing on the 2008 pre and post election era participants noted that they were forced to masquerade as illiterates to allow ZANU PF supporters to "assist' them with casting their votes. They further noted that future elections should uphold the right to a secret ballot. The residents Makuvise further noted that to avoid incidents of political violence and intimidation during the election period, international observers should be deployed to monitor the poll at least six months before and six months after election.

Visit the Crisis in Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP