Back to Index

Stop ZANU-PF terror
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
September 09, 2011

ZANU PF youths working on a directive from the party have gone amock, beating up vendors perceived to be MDC sympathizers. CHRA has it on good ground that this ploy has been on ZANU PF cards since the beginning of the year. ZANU-PF has been planning to take over all public market stalls in Harare to iron their grip and control on the urban vote. Earlier this year, the Association conducted a survey in Mbare to determine the levels of militarization and we reported that the former ruling party has established structures in Siyaso, Magaba and Mupedzanhamo market stalls respectively. Each market has a branch which is further split into cells allowing for micro inspection of all those that don't support the former ruling party. Today, you cannot be allocated a business stand in Mbare if you are not a ZANU-PF card holder.

The latest attack reflects a shockwave which should inevitably attract the attention of those in the inclusive Government that violence is still happening in the communities. Youths wearing ZANU PF t-shirts have become community big-brothers and behave like village bullies, terrorizing unarmed innocent residents and yet the police have done nothing to bring those youths to book. We reiterate our position that public facilities should not benefit those that affiliate to a certain political party, but be accessed by every Zimbabwean regardless of race, gender, creed or political affiliation. Today our public infrastructure has deteriorated because of the confusion that surrounds their use. One political party enjoys unlimited use of these facilities whilst paying nothing to the responsible authorities. Some council halls which were meant to benefit communities have been converted into political party offices and terror bases. Residents are no longer benefiting from these except for a few individuals who subscribe to ZANU-PF.

To that end, we continue to implore the Ministry of Local Government Rural and Urban Development together with Harare City Council to urgently audit all market stalls in Harare. City of Harare should barn all political activities that are happening in Harare's market stalls. Lots of revenue which is supposed to benefit Harare residents is being pocketed by unscrupulous individuals who have the unwanted blessing of certain political heavy-weights. Revenue generated from C.B.D termini and market stall has not found its way to the responsible local authority because C.o.H has failed to stamp authority over the administration of these facilities. Government and police are faced with a task to demilitarize public facilities and restore sanity and proper service provision. All ZANU PF mafia masquerading as rank marshals should be eliminated at the same time C.o.H just has to organize decent and conducive ranks like what is currently practiced in South-Africa.

Visit the CHRA 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