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On 26 September 2015, there were elections for the Zanu PF district chairperson at
Chest growth point in Ward 4, Mhangura. The incumbent chairperson, one, Phiri was
contesting. One Zanu PF member known as Ndogwedu, set to contest in another
ward, brought a truck load of supporters to disrupt the elections. He indicated that he
was to contest in Ward 4 although it was verified from Chinhoyi that he did not belong
to the ward. He went on to forcefully grab all ballot boxes and declared that no one
would vote. The elections were aborted and postponed to a later date as Ndogwedu
and his supporters disrupted the elections and they laid on top of the tables being
used for election. They were taken out but would rush back to continue disrupting the
process. The officers said they would wait for instructions from provincial offices in
Chinhoyi.
•
Ward 11 councillor in Sanyati, Patson Chakauya and village heads of Mandodii,
Munyaka B, Maisiri and Chivanga are accused of unilaterally selling grazing land. The
other village heads of James, Munyaka A and Tongai are complaining about the loss of
the grazing lands. The case will be heard at Chief Hozheri’s court at a later date.
•
Greater Nduru (not her real name) reported that some men believed to be of another
party were stalking her when she was distributing flyers of the People’s Democratic
Party on 13 September 2015. She claims to have received strange telephone calls.
Nduru has a top post in the party.
Masvingo
There were incidents of intra-party conflict mostly in Zanu PF as it restructures its lower level
party organs. This is a second attempt by the party to weed out Mujuru faithfuls after the first
such exercise conducted towards the end of 2014 failed to yield the desired results.
The new political party People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been visible in Chiredzi with
Moses Mare former MP for Chiredzi West and Jerry Chigavakava being its front men. The
party is yet to show its muscle and has not made a significant impact in all the constituencies
in the province.
On the economic front, Masvingo City Council continues to fight street vendors who continue
to flood the streets. The official vending site, “Kuchitima” cannot accommodate every vendor.
Worse still the daily charge of US$2-00 per day is said to be too much by the vendors.
Additionally, the location of the site is far away from the public, which makes both customers
and vendors not patronise it as much.
•
On 19 September 2015, Zanu PF led by Ward 17 chairperson, Godfrey Muzvimwe of
Muzvimwe Village, Zaka West called for a meeting at Cherechere Business Centre. It is
alleged that the meeting resolved to send youths to the surrounding villages to force all
known MDC T supporters to come to the meeting and “surrender.” The youths were
led by Andrew Ndlovu – their leader. On their return from the expedition, they brought
an MDC T member whom they forced to chant Zanu PF slogans. The victim complied
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