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Matabeleland North
Matabeleland North Province continued to record violations of political
rights and personal security. Zanu PF went around the province
requesting citizens to join and ultimately vote for the party. The ruling
party members underscored that there was a need for citizens to be
part of the Zanu PF structures so as to fully benefit from mining, tourism
and agricultural development projects. In Nkenyane area of Bubi
constituency, it was reported that Zanu PF activists led by Gift Moyo
went around forcing small scale miners to go and register as voters at a
local Zanu PF office so that they appear on the cell group list. Moyo
threatened the miners with eviction and revocation of their claim
licenses in the event they fail to register in cell groups. This is a clear
politicization of access to resources.
Zanu PF has exhibited the intention to acquire two constituencies of
Binga to complete their influence in the province. During his visit to
Bulawayo Kraal, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga underscored the
need to develop the irrigation scheme in the area. His address
emphasized that Binga would be fully developed when they all vote for
Zanu PF starting from the local authority. It is clear that Zanu PF intends
to win the two constituencies in Binga by any means necessary. During
the visit, VP Chiwenga instructed all traditional leaders to vote for Zanu
PF and not opposition parties. All were tasked to mobilize and work
closely with war veterans in the district to campaign for the party. This
was the second time Chiwenga and Mohadi instructed traditional
leaders to campaign and ultimately vote for Zanu PF. Constitutionally,
traditional leaders are supposed to be apolitical and are not supposed to
participate in political activities.
In a case of political intolerance that was recorded in Mtuya village of
Dete, Jealousy Mpofu of the MDC-T threatened to organize thugs to
beat supporters of the newly formed Citizen Coalition for Change led by
Nelson Chamisa.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report