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Political environment in Zimbabwe update - Week ending 10 February
2013
Heal Zimbabwe
Trust
February 14, 2013
| Province
and District |
The
General Environment |
General
Political Atmosphere |
Mashonaland Central
Guruve North
|
Tense |
It
has been reported that ZANU PF youths on 26 January went on
a rampage forcing people to attend a meeting at Bvochora business
centre in Guruve North, Ward 6. The meeting was convened by
a war veteran only identified as Mondo who addressed the meeting
threatening people with violence if they do not vote for ZANU
PF in the upcoming elections. He threatened Nomatter Dzveta
an MDC aspiring councillor in ward 6 with unspecified action
if he ever contest in the scheduled elections. The
same war veteran Mr. Mondo went ahead on the same day to hold
another meeting in ward 19 and again threatened the villagers
with unspecified action if ever they vote for any other political
party which is not ZANU PF in the imminent elections. Both
incidences were reported to JOMIC which promised to meet representatives
of all political parties in Guruve North to discuss the issue.
There
are reports of unfair distribution of food aid in ward 4,
Negomo village, Guruve North. It is alleged that the Councillor
for the ward, Mr Kafungura is distributing maize on partisan
basis. The grain being distributed under the Government Maguta
grain loan scheme is meant to benefit anyone in need regardless
of political affiliation but the councillor in question is
only distributing the maize to ZANU PF supporters only.
|
Mashonaland
Central
Muzarabani
|
Tense |
There are
reports of intimidation and harassment in Maungaunga village
ward 2, in Muzarabani. It is alleged that ZANU PF officials
are subjecting potential voters into a vetting exercise where
only those carrying ZANU PF party cards are allowed to register
and vote. The illegal vetting exercise is happening at a mobile
office situated at Hoya clinic. All those failing to produce
the party cards are being turned away.
In another report, there are allegations that
a retired soldier identified as Hamunyari Kamusengezi has
set up a base at Muzarabani Community Hall located at the
business centre where he is harassing and intimidating anyone
he suspects that he/she is new in the area. It is alleged
that the soldier set up the base to restrict new people from
gaining access to Muzarabani district especially now as the
country heads for elections claiming that the "visitors"
negatively influence the electorate.
There are also reports that ZANU PF supporters
have introduced night vigils in Kairezi village in Muzarabani.
The night vigils were launched on Saturday 9 February in ward
23 at a homestead belonging to Mr Kasuwa an MDC supporter.
The ZANU PF group was led by the ward 23 councillor, Mr. Amon
Mavedzenge and a group of youths who spent the whole night
singing intimidating songs. They forcefully entered the victim's
homestead confisticated his groceries and destroyed all his
crops and only left in the morning after threatening him with
death if he does not surrender his party affiliation before
the next elections. The perpetrators highlighted that the
campaign is an ongoing exercise meant to uproot all MDC supporters
in Muzarabani.
|
Mashonaland
East
Mudzi North
|
Tense |
There
are also reports of resurgence of political bases in ward 2,
Mukota village, Mudzi North. Reports are that ZANU PF youths
are meeting every Friday for night vigils from 6pm- 6am at Chimbodza
Primary School. It is alleged that after the vigil, the youths
go around growth points victimising villagers and threatening
business owners with unspecified action if ZANU PF does not
win the forthcoming elections. There
are also reports of harassment and intimidation in ward 9,
Mukota C village, Mudzi North. It is alleged that the ward
councillor, Mr Aloise Kambambaira and the village head, Mr.
Chatima, have been moving around villages collecting names
and identification particulars of unregistered voters and
bringing back slips to show that they are now registered voters.
All those who have fallen victim are being told to vote for
ZANU PF and failure to do so they will be evacuated from the
area. They are also being threatened that their names are
now with ZANU leadership and their votes will not be a secret
anymore so they should make sure they vote for ZANU PF. |
Masvingo
Chiredzi
|
Moderate |
It has
been reported that a soldier from the 4 Brigade identified
as Mr Jeremiah Masiya is terrorising people in ward 4, Chiredzi
East threatening MDC supporters with a repeat of the 2008
political
violence if they do not vote for ZANU PF in the elections
expected this year. |
Manicaland
Buhera
|
Tense |
There
are reports of harassment and intimidation in Buhera where a
war veteran identified as Mr. Zinzombe convened a meeting on
the 9th of February and addressed those present highlighting
that they should all vote for ZANU PF, failure to do so will
result in war in the country. The man went on to undress and
showed the people present scars he allegedly sustained during
the liberation struggle. |
Manicaland
Headlands
|
Tense |
It
has been reported that on Thursday, 7 February, police in riot
gear disrupted an MDC ward executive meeting at Era shopping
centre, Inyati Mine, Ward 8 in Headlands and arrested Kingston
Chitauro. Mr Chitauro was detained for four days and only granted
bail on Monday 11 February and he will be back to court on the
2nd of March. Ironically, ZANU PF held two rallies at the same
venue on Tuesday, 5 February and Sunday, 10 February led by
Mr Dickson Hwecha without any disruptions from the police. |
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