He accused the villagers of not turning up at a meeting he had called for the previous
week. He intimidated villagers arguing that the 2018 elections are going to be worse
than the ones in 2008 if they don’t join cell groups “kumberi kwakaipa kupfuura
2008” he is reported to have said.
On 26 February 2016, Member of Parliament (MP) for Marondera Central, Lawrence
Katsiru, reportedly had a meeting with Zanu-PF youths and allegedly told them to
prepare to deal with anyone who joins ZimPF. However, Katsiru denied the
allegations and told ZPP, “That is nonsensical. It is full of lies. I enjoy good relations
with the opposition; and there have been many meetings in Marondera and rest of
Mashonaland East by the opposition at which there have been no disturbances.”
On 26 February 2016, a Zanu-PF coordinator for Ward 11 in Marondera West had an
argument with a member of the women’s league over leadership. The coordinator had
said the president was “hiding behind a finger” while major decisions to rule were
being made by the First Lady. The women’s league member then threatened the
coordinator for holding these views.
In Marondera Central Zanu-PF supporters Gift Midzi and Garikai Tonderai are
allegedly threatening Itai Nzondo (not real name) who is a former MDC-T member
who has defected to ZimPF. The two reportedly told Nzondo that he is a sell-out for
choosing to work with Joyce Mujuru. The threats started on 27 February 2016. The
Zanu-PF supporters are said to be moving around the area saying MDC-T is better
that People First.
Mashonaland West
There is increasing tension in Mashonaland West over the rise of the ZimPF. Reports from
the province note a considerable amount of defections from Zanu-PF to ZimPF and these
have been followed by threats and harassment of defectors. Clashes were reported in the
province between supporters of Zanu-PF and ZimPF with the latter’s supporters being
harassed in Mhondoro and Kadoma. The operating space for civil society organisations has
also shrunk with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) experiencing challenges after their
meetings in Sanyati. The tense political environment has resulted in increased paranoia with
Australian visitors being harassed in Chegutu and a pastor being summoned in Pfupajena
over a prophecy he made during a church service.
The current situation in Hurungwe West constituency is similar to the one experienced during
the June elections. To drum up its support Zanu-PF is allegedly allocating residential stands
to party youths in preparation for 2018 general election. The youths are said to be paying
US$5 to be on the waiting list kept at Hurungwe Rural District Council (HRDC). At a
meeting held on 2 February 2016 at Mashuma Business Centre, Zanu-PF youth chairperson,
Patrick Karimatsenga, said the party had realised that youths were left out in a lot of projects
so they had decided to allocate housing stands for them in Karoi. The names were to be
handed over to Ward 17 Councillor, Matthew Runi. It was reported that Karimatsenga told
the youths that they were preparing to meet the Minister of Youth Development to come up
with more projects for youths. All Zanu-PF youths were told to submit their names to their
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