Provincial Outlook
MASVINGO PROVINCE
ICases of the politicization of food aid and other
amenities were recorded in the province. Zanu PF
activists discriminated against opposition members
on the basis that they were not eligible to benefit
from the aid and government scheme as they voted
against the Zanu PF-led government. At ward 18 of
Chivi Central, it was reported that a Zanu PF activist
identified as Dariot Madhigi instructed all village
heads to consider and prioritize Zanu PF members
for the Pfumvudza program. Madhigi addressed the
gathering at Gwitima Business Centre when he said
Zanu PF members should solely benefit from the
program and yet opposition members should be left
out. He further said that opposition members should
benefit from their own party programs. In ward 17 of
Bikita East, it was reported that Zanu PF members
identified as Joseph Madidi and Josephine Jongwe
told villagers that members of the Citizens Coalition
for Change would be beaten up soon for voting
against the ruling party. The two said this during a
village meeting of registering beneficiaries of the
Pfumvudza program where only Zanu PF members
were welcomed. In Ward 6 at Mucheke Masvingo, it
was reported that a Zanu PF activist identified as Mr.
Dhorobheni was going around the ward intimidating
citizens saying the party was going to deal with all
those who did not vote for the ruling party. He is
threatening people that they are waiting for a
specific program to identify and deal with sell-outs in
Masvingo.
Political rights were violated as the activists from the
ruling party went on a rampage to humiliate
opposition members on the basis that they
campaigned for the CCC. In ward 21 of Bikita East, it
was reported that Isaac Muzengi and others
disrupted the learning process at Gangare Primary
School after they staged a demonstration against
the local headmaster. It is said that Muzengi and
others stormed the school as the School
Development Committee in view of expelling the
headmaster who is known as an opposition
supporter of CCC. Muzengi is said to have told
learners to return home as the parents were
removing ‘a sellout.’ Learners failed to attend
lessons.
An SDC Chairperson of Gawa Primary was expelled from
the committee by the parents that affiliated with Zanu
PF. It is said that the SDC Chairperson is a known CCC
member who was a polling agent for the party during the
23 August elections. Verified facts indicate that when the
SDC Chairperson was addressing the meeting in
preparation for the Grade 7 examination, he was told to
recuse himself from the committee as he was a sell-out.
His expulsion was led by a Zanu PF activist identified as
Jameson.
MIDLANDS PROVINCE
Midlands province recorded an increase in the
politicisation of food aid and other government amenities
on the basis that only Zanu PF members should benefit.
At wards 13 and 14 of Chiwundura constituency, it was
reported that Zanu PF activists identified as Anna Kohli
and Peter Mhlaleli politicized the distribution of
agricultural inputs. Kohli and Mhlaleli told the gathered
that the members of CCC should return home as they
were not to be given anything. In the same area at
Chiwundura constituency, it was reported that the
current Member of Parliament Sleinman Kwidini of Zanu
PF threatened to deal with members of the CCC. It is said
that Kwidini warned the ruling party would withhold food
aid and not distribute it to opposition members. Kwidini
further warned that they are yet to deal with opposition
members who intended to vote Zanu PF out of power. A
similar case was recorded at ward 12 of Gokwe North
where a Zanu PF member identified as Crispen Muzira
told the community that Citizen Coalition for Change
members will not benefit from the Pfumvudza program
as they have continued to say Mr. Mnangagwa is
illegitimate. Muzira further warned that they were not
afraid to confront the CCC as they needed to be
disciplined.
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