On 21 January 2016, in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Muchemwa Village, Ward 5, Alice
Nhondo (not real name) a war collaborator expressed interest to be chairperson for
People First. Synodia Chigarakara, a fellow war collaborator and Zanu-PF
member, asked Nhondo why she wanted to join People First when they belonged
to Zanu-PF. Chigarakara then threatened to remove Nhondo’s name from the
war collaborators’ list.
On 22 January 2016, there was a star rally at Mubaira Growth Point for the ZanuPF candidate, George Gangarahwe. People were ferried from all the wards and
were threatened with denial of food aid if they did not register to vote.
On 23 January 2016, Zanu-PF youths and other supporters in Chegutu Ward 6
went to independent candidates’ houses after the by-election results
announcement and started singing revolutionary songs and insulting the losing
candidates using vulgar words.
Masvingo
Farm disturbances have been taking place in Masvingo without any restrain from the
government. The disturbances have seen three white farmers losing their land without any
due process being followed. New “owners” reportedly descended on the farms
claiming they were now the rightful owners at Crest Farm owned by Yvonne Goddard,
Stopover and Clipsham Number 2 Farms owned by the Deidricks family. Crest is located
10km from Masvingo town along the Zvishavane Road; while Clipsham Number 2 is
4km from Masvingo town along the Beitbridge Highway. Stopover Farm is 8km from
town along the Great Zimbabwe Road.
The dry conditions prevailing in the country has hit Masvingo the hardest. While the
province is drought prone, the 2015/16 agricultural season has been the worst with the
people surviving on wild fruits. Cattle are dying in large numbers due to the
unavailability of pasture. Hopefully, the government and developmental agencies will
chip in to avert mass starvation.
Highlights:
On 17 January16, at Nyamakwe Business Centre Chivi Central, a meeting was
addressed by Chivi district administrator, Bernard Hamadziripi, and Ward 16
councillor Munashe Pwanyai. The address was targeted at 38 village heads
including Gwenyaya and Makoni village heads who were instructed to remember
not to leave out Zanu-PF supporters in their selection of vulnerable people
earmarked for food assistance. The DA and councillor made the call despite the
fact that they are state employees who should not be partisan in their dealings with
the public.
On 20 January 2016, there was an attempt to displace Crest Farm in Masvingo
West Yvonne Goddard, the farm owner. The perpetrator has allegedly since
dispatched tractors to the farm for land preparation. The gates leading to the farm
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