On 14 December violence was reported in Harare Central
Business District (CBD) involving street vendors and anti-riot
police combined with municipal units along Jason Moyo and
Leopold Takawira Avenue. The conflict resulted in
destruction of several shops across the CBD. It is alleged that
violence erupted when the police started running street battles,
assaulting vendors across the CBD. The vendors then
retaliated throwing objects forcing the police units to retreat,
hiding in stationery and cell phone shops around the CBD. A
mob of angry vendors reportedly vandalised shops demanding
that the owners handover the assailants for punishment.
On 19 December Zanu PF factional fights in Kuwadzana
constituency ward 5 were reported through social media via a
WhatsApp group titled, “KARIGAMOMBE 3”. It is alleged
that Kuwadzana western suburb Zanu PF Chairperson Tauya
Mauka and Givemore Chokuvamba were issuing WhatsApp
messages threatening perceived G40 loyalists remnants inside
the party. Reports are that Mauka and Chekuvamba also
vowed not to allocate residential stands to G40 inhabitants in
the area. It is alleged that part of the group administration
including Chekuvamba removed about 20 participants on
allegations of defying the leadership of President Emmerson
Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF Harare political commissar Douglas Mahiya and
Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa
allegedly ran for their lives after they were attacked by Zanu
PF youths suspected to be G40 activists in Harare South,
Ushewokunze ward 1. It is alleged that on 23 December, what
started as a Zanu PF rally to sensitize people on the Biometric
Voter Registration (BVR) exercise, ills of corruption and land
barons turned violent when one military officer identified only
as Tarwirei mobilized party youths to block Masimirembwa
from introducing Mahiya as a parliamentary candidate for
Harare South (Ushewokunze) in the upcoming 2018 elections.
Mahiya and Masimirembwa narrowly escaped as the youths
allegedly tried to manhandle them. In a telephone interview
Mahiya reported that the incident signified the continued
presence of G40 loyalists within the ruling party.
Windows destroyed at Ttel cellphone shop along Jason Moyo
and Leopold Takawira Avenue
It is alleged that on 28 December, about 20 Zanu PF youths
led by Zanu PF chairperson identified only as Mai Ushe went
around Highfield West ward 26, taking down people’s
Biometric Voter Registration serial numbers. It is reported that
those who had submitted their serial numbers were instructed
to gather at Zororo Centre on 30 December to receive rice
from the ruling party. Reports are that, on the scheduled date
when people had gathered, what was supposed to be a rice
distribution meeting the alleged turned into a Zanu PF star
rally. It is alleged that part of the Zanu PF leadership inclusive
of war veterans spokesperson Mahiya, Harare province
chairperson Masimirembwa, Highfied MP Psychology
Maziwisa, Central committee member Cleveria Chizeme
,Zanu PF youth chair Godfrey Gomwe and other unidentified
councillors were some of the dignitaries present.
Masimirembwa allegedly told beneficiaries that the rice was
Windows destroyed at Ttel cellphone shop along
Jason Moyo and Leopold Takawira Avenue
7