|
Back to Index
Uniformed soldiers continue their Blitzkrieg in Manicaland, with
Nyanga now firmly targeted as a "No Go" area for the
MDC
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
October 01, 2012
In its issue
of the 23rd of July 2012, the Crisis Report reported on how 400
members of the army were alleged to have invaded the peaceful villages
of Magondo and Chipanguri in Ward 26 of Makoni Constituency in Manicaland
Province, causing serious fear to creep into the villagers and panic
to sink in. In that same report, the Crisis Report contained testimonies
from villagers of harassment of civilians that was politically motivated
that the soldiers were reported to be carrying out. The bases occupied
by the army then were said to be serviced and commandeered by one
Major General Kafesu.
The army's
Blitzkrieg in Manicaland Province seems to be continuing with their
presence now extended to Nyanga South Constituency. The campaign,
which seems to be a direct response to encouragement by Major General
Chedondo (the army Chief of Staff, general Staff), who in May 2012
implored members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to participate in
national politics, as part of remaining loyal and defending the
nation's territorial integrity and interests. The Major General
uttered these sentiments, which seem to have been taken as command,
while addressing over 3 000 troops from 2 Brigade undergoing a battlefield
training exercise in Mutoko
Villagers from
Nyanga South Constituency have reported that there has been a recent
influx of army personnel, who have declared that no MDC rally should
be held in the area. They further reported that uniformed soldiers
are conducting meetings with traditional leaders ordering them to
support and enforce this embargo on MDC meetings. A similar incident
was reported in Magondo and Mupanguri villages of Makoni South in
July this year where an estimated 400 armed soldiers were reported
to have intimidated villagers, chanting and singing ZANU PF slogans
and songs. This worrying trend has heightened fears of a repeat
of the bloody
run-up to the sham 2008 presidential election run-off which
was characterised by systematic violence and intimidation. Outside
of the violence of 2008 which is generic, Nyanga has had specific
episodes of intimidation, specifically in February 2011 which saw
some Nyakomba villagers deserting their homes to stay in mountains
and others streaming into neighbouring Mozambique and others areas.
Villagers who
spoke on condition of anonymity for safety purposes stated that
in areas which include Ruwangwe, Fombe and Nyakomba villages, Headmen
and Chiefs were forced to gather on the 29th of September 2012,
and were expressly told not to allow the MDC-T legislator for Nyanga
South constituency, Hon Douglas Mwonzora to organise any meetings
in the area.
Hon Mwonzora
confirmed to the Crisis Report Team that traditional leaders in
the area, had indeed delivered the message to him, and added that
there had been a heavy police and army presence registered in his
constituency with constant patrols. He however remained adamant
that their party would continue carrying out their meetings both
public and private despite the soldier's intimidation schemes.
"Although
soldiers have besieged our constituency to coerce people to vote
for Zanu PF, we will continue with our work and carry on with our
meetings. Zanu PF is using state apparatus to send the wrong message
to the electorate, but that strategy is tired and will not work",
emphasised Hon Mwonzora.
Honourable Muchauraya
Pishayi, who is the Member of Parliament for Makoni, also confirmed
the reports highlighting that soldiers' entry into Nyanga,
is just a continuation of a trend that started May 2012, and included
his constituency where villagers are living in great and continuous
fear of the unknown.
"It is
true that soldiers are threatening villagers. They are holding meetings
in the entire province telling traditional leaders to bar MDC meetings",
Hon Pishayi said.
Some Villagers,
are however disturbed but unperturbed by the Army presence. Sekai
Gombe a local from the Nyanga South Constituency, expressed concern
at the intimidating presence of uniformed soldiers in the constituency.
Gombe said that "soldiers should not interfere with our day
to day business, instead they should remain in the barracks. Their
presence is stirring up fear in villagers of later being tortured
by soldiers after being identified as a MDC supporter."
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
|
