are that the meeting that was held on 11 May was
organised to resolve corruption issues which
forced Local Government Minister, Saviour
Kasukuwere, to suspend Mayor Philip Mutoti and
25 councillors. It was reported that Zanu PF
youths clad in party regalia arrived in a commuter
omnibus suspected to be owned by councilor
Charamba Mlambo and ordered participants to
disperse. A Zanu PF youth leader identified as Lad
Manhango is alleged to have taken away
*Washinton Kamoto’s phone and $68 and
thereafter assaulted him for taking pictures. The
matter was reported to the police under RRB
number 31424500.
In Lobengula, Nkanyezi Primary School
headmistress, Mrs Tshuma, told parents of ECD
learners to at least pay half of the $64 or have
their children withdrawn from ECD classes. The
headmistress gave the order on 16 May 2017.
Only a few parents managed to pay while the rest
had their children withdrawn over either the
previous term’s outstanding bill or second term
fees.
It is alleged that ward 6 MDC-T deputy organizing
secretary, Didymus Bande, and vice-chairperson,
Philip Muzerengi, assaulted three Zanu PF
members who refused to allow MDC-T to conduct
door to door campaigns on 13 May. These MDC-T
supporters are also accused of taking $53 from
the Zanu PF supporters. Bande and Muzerengi are
also alleged to have assaulted Zanu PF youth
political commissar for Epworth district when he
discouraged his relatives from joining MDC-T.
Intra-party violence is alleged to have marred a
Zanu PF provincial coordinating committee
meeting called by Vice President, Phelekezela
Mphoko on 21 May at Davis Hall. Supporters of
the ruling party are reported to have differed on
what should be the fate of political commissar,
Saviour Kasukuwere. The result was violent
skirmishes where district youth chairperson,
Magura Charumbira was reportedly stabbed and
nearby vendors had their wares looted.
It is alleged that on 23 May there was intra-party
violence at Kuwadzana paddocks between rival
Zanu PF youth factions over a land dispute.
Reports are that Kuwadzana MP Betty Kaseke and
Chairperson for Package Housing Association,
Tawuya Mawuka, each allocated the land in
question to each of their supporters who belong
to different factions. The two groups then
violently clashed over ownership of the land. Anti
riot police were called in and dispersed the
youths. One of the youths is said to have lost his
teeth during the fights.
Meanwhile, on 14 May at Barbourfields, violence
erupted during a Highlanders versus Dynamos
football match. Highlanders fans threw missiles at
the assistant referee who they believed had
undeservingly awarded Dynamos an equalising
goal. Analysts have often said that fights between
supporters of the two teams has political
undertones that can best be addressed by the
National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
(NPRC).
Threat level: low
11