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Schools shut down for ZANU PF rallies
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)
March 02, 2011

Schools in Gutu West district were forced to shut down on Monday 28, so that villagers could attend a ZANU PF rally at war veteran leader, Jablani Sibanda's order.

ZANU PF supporters under Sibanda's instruction allegedly went around Gutu making death threats against anyone considering to boycott the rally. It is reported that they were telling people that this year all MDC supporters will be killed. As most people feared for their lives approximately 600 people including teachers and school children attended the rally at Matizha Business Centre on Monday.

MDC-T spokesman for Gutu West district Stanley Manguma, said Jabulani Sibanda resorted to forcing teachers and school children to attend the rally after two failed rallies. The first meeting was attended by 12 ZANU PF members while 20 people attended the second meeting. Sibanda then sought the assistance of the local chief to coerce people to attend. The chief, who is a ZANU PF supporter, then instructed headmen and headmasters to close schools.

Despite repeated calls by the MDC-T for Sibanda to be arrested, police reacted in a partisan manner and in some cases have actually accompanied him on his operations, leaving him free to intimidate locals.

It is reported that before the terror campaign in Gutu West, Sibanda had been to Zaka, Bikita and Chiredzi where he was also intimidating residents.

ZimRights is very disturbed by these reports of continued violence and appeals to the government to stop Jabulani Sibanda and others like him from engaging in violence and violating other people's human rights and freedoms. We condemn, unreservedly the impunity allowed Jabulani Sibanda to act like the Libyan leader, Gaddafi, who is killing his own people in the name of retaining power. Political campaigns should not violate students' right to education and should not be forced on people. It is about time politicians get it into their heads that they are there to serve the interests of the people and not to harass and dictate things on them.

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