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Constitution outreach suspended in Manicaland
Movement for Democratic Change
August 04, 2010

Copac activities have been suspended in Manicaland province after Zanu PF leaders and supporters intimidated villagers and forced the police to arrest one rapporteur who was capturing everything including intimidations taking place at the various centers.

Reports coming in from Manicaland Province today indicated that the process had been stopped throughout the province altogether.

Speaking from Manicaland, the MDC Manicaland province spokesperson and Makoni South MP, Hon Pishayi Muchauraya said the process was stopped after various stations reported that Zanu PF was hijacking the process by using its legislators and war veterans to threaten and intimidate people.

The Zanu PF Senator for Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe Oriah Kabayanjiri and Monica Mutsvangwa, senator for Chimanimani are in the COPAC team but are abusing the process to harass and intimidate MDC supporters, as well as giving Zanu PF supporters platform to pray.

"The prayers are very long and 15 Zanu Pf party positions are explicitly highlighted in these prayers. Copac itself has no control over this because these Senators just pick on one war veteran who then expounds the Zanu PF position in a prayer disguise. This has angered the people here and as such, Copac has thrown down tools," said Muchauraya.

At Hartzell primary school in Mutare South, Monica Mutsvangwa openly instructed MDC supporters to leave the outreach venue.

At Magistrate's Hall in Chimanimani and at another venue in Chipinge West, war veterans were picked to make prayers which were too long and spoke on the Zanu PF party positions.

In Chimanimani East, the District administrators, who are responsible for providing dates and venues for the Copac meetings , have provided the wrong dates via postings at schools, but advising Zanu PF structures on the actual dates and venues for the meetings.

In Chipinge West, Senator Kabayanjiri threatened a rapporteur, Kudakwashe Munengiwa, for recording everything that was happening during the outreach programmes. Kabayanjiri reportedly went to the police station and had Munengiwa arrested even though it was the senator who had threatened the rapporteur.

"This has affected the turnout of the people, and also prejudiced other people who are not in support of the Zanu PF position, as they are afraid of what might happen to them," said Hon Muchauraya.

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