JULY 2017
complete monthly allowance forms on 15 July. When
over 200 village heads gathered, it is said that Chief
Saba verbally attacked MDC-T supporters found in his
area and emphasized the need to punish and expel them
from his area. At the meeting, it is alleged that Chief
Saba officially recalled 43 village heads citing that they
were irresponsible and that there are rumors they are
supporters of MDC-T. Those accused of supporting the
opposition were not given allowance forms. It is alleged
that in other platforms the chief has been heard saying
that village heads supporting MDC-T will never get their
allowances.
centre.
At Siansundu business centre in Binga North Thedious
Mwembe of ZanuPF allegedly assaulted *Mark Maposa
as the two were at loggerheads over the organization and
coordination of the presidential youth interface rally.
Maposa was involved in arranging transport to ferry
party supporters to Lupane for the rally on 21 July.
However, when the lorry got to Siansundu ward which is
Mwembe's strong hold it did not stop for more people.
The youths that were left behind and many others
teamed up and physically assaulted Maposa for leaving
them behind. No police report was made.
ZanuPF youth officer, Mbongeni Mpofu, and other
ruling party youths are alleged to have roamed around
Lupane Business Centre in Lupane West instilling fear
in the residents on 20 July. It is said that they were
demanding that villagers attend the youth rally which
was expected the next day and ultimately vote for
ZanuPF in the 2018 elections without fail.
On 21 July at 10am schools in Lupane were allegedly
ordered to close and students and teachers were told to
attend the presidential youth interface rally at Somhlolo
Stadium in Lupane West. It is said that the directive
came from the units of the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education although it was widely coordinated
by ZanuPF youth officers. Some of the schools that were
forced to attend include Mabhikwa, Fatima and Jotsholo
secondary schools, Lupane,, Mtshibini, Kusile, and
Roman Catholic primary schools.
Members of the
National Youth Service together with students from
Kamativi primary marched, chanted and recited ZanuPF
slogans as part of their displays.
Category of incident
July 2017
Assault
Theft/looting
Discrimination
Intimidation/harassment
1
0
2
20
June
2017
0
0
2
4
Threat level: Low
In Gokwe Chireya Ward 1 at Chireya Business Centre,
on 2 July two MPs for Gokwe Kabuyuni and Gokwe
Chireya, Leonard Chikomba and Cephas Sindi, called
for a youth meeting. It is alleged that this meeting was
held to discourage youths from supporting opposition
parties. At the same meeting, ZanuPF youths were
promised funds to start entrepreneurship projects. When
the youths from the two constituencies had gathered,
there was alleged victimisation and intimidation of those
suspected to be opposition supporters.
Pupils from Ndamuleni, Makovula, Silwane, Jibajiba
primary schools in Lupane East were left unattended
after the teachers were forced to all attend the
presidential youth interface rally. The rally disrupted
many schools on 21 July as it came at a time when
schools were writing mid-year examinations.
It is alleged that war veteran, Bigboy Sibanda, popularly
known as Sandlana, threatened different individuals who
had attended a Mthwakazi liberation party rally in Nkayi
South on 22 July with unspecified punishment. It is
reported that this happened at Mpumelelo business
On 3 July, it was reported that Mr Mazorodze who stays
in South Downs Gweru but owns a grocery shop at
Gambiza in Chiwundura was denied access to his
business by unidentified ZanuPF youths. Mazorodze
allegedly wanted to deliver groceries at his shop, but
19