to participate in digging the trench. Even the elderly (two names were supplied) who
are well over 70 years are taking part for fear of being denied food aid. The trench has
so far stretched for less than 4 kms.
o The same Headman is forcing people in the village to attend weekly Zanu-PF
meetings at Musiirwi primary for Zanu-PF ideological lessons. The local war
veteran named Mudhabha leads the sessions every Wednesday of the week
between 14:00hrs to 18:00hrs.
On May 4, a school pupil of Ngandu Primary ward 15 Chimanimani East, was
reportedly verbally harassed by a teacher Antony Machingauta a suspected (Zanu-PF)
supporter. The teacher is said to have accused the pupil of having been brain washed
by imperialists after the pupil was absent on May 3 when the National Pledge was
officially launched. The National Pledge was officially adopted at the beginning of
May 2016 and each school is supposed to ensure all pupils recite it. There have been
mixed reactions to the pledge with some people believing the pledge is not christian
as it makes school children through it idolise the flag while others believe it is a good
stance.
In Makoni North Chitsike village, ward 5, a homestead belonging to a Zanu-PF
activist was reportedly destroyed by Councillor Tasi Muzembi a suspected MDC-T
activist. The perpetrator is said to have hired some youths from Rusape who helped
him.
Mashonaland Central
The main conflict driver was the Zanu PF Million Man March. In some areas people were
reportedly being forced to pay while commercial farmers were asked to donate fuel. Schools
and A2 farmers were allegedly asked to provide transport. There was a lot of intimidation
and harassment recorded in the run up to the exercise. In most areas food is reported to be
distributed in a fair manner as the Department of Social Welfare is now distributing food
after having conducted beneficiary assessments. Food for work is also being implemented
accordingly.
Highlights:
On 8 May, there was a parents’ meeting at Mudavanhu Primary School in Mvurwi, a
newly built satellite school. The school was built by Wimbo Apostolic church based
in Madziva. At the meeting the parents were asked to pay fees in full and other
parents raised a point that they were facing serious economic challenges and therefore
were unable to pay the fees in full but will need time to do so. This point was disputed
by another school board member who is also a war veteran known as Cde Mutizira. It
is alleged parents were threatened with unspecified action for insuating that the
economy was in doldrums making it difficult for parents to make ends meet. It is
further alleged that Mutizira then said making such statements parents were enemies
of the state and their children did not deserve to be at the school.
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