The use of land as part of a political patronage system is common in Harare. It was
reported that in Epworth, Zanu PF is giving out stands to its supporters at Dunstan
area Airport road. It is worthwhile to note that people who had been allocated these
stands earlier were moved to Chitungwiza but the allocation of stands has begun for
new people. It is widely believed that the allocation of stands is part of the campaign
strategy by Zanu PF ahead of the 2018 elections.
On 25 May 2206 an estimated group of between 50 000 and 100,000 converged in
Harare for the One Million Man March. It is reported that in some areas like Zengeza,
Zanu PF youths took advantage of the one million men march to rob citizens on the
pretext of collecting cash for the march. It is reported that on 24 May Zanu PF youths
went about collecting money from vendors in and along the hospital place and
Pagomba area of Zengeza 4 making people believe that it was to assist with travelling
expenses for the million man march but they channelled it to their own use because
they had not been authorised by their superiors as it later emerged.
Million Man March in Progress
(picture taken by ZPP monitors)
In a related incident, on
the 24 May Zanu PF
youths dismissed the
touts at Chigovanyika St
Mary’s bus terminus.
The
youths
started
collecting money from
commuters. In the eraly
hours of May 25 they
started collecting money
from each vendor as a
form of fund raising for
One Million Man March. All shops were closed by Zanu PF youths in Seke North. In
central Harare vendors were forced to close their stalls and attend the march. In one
incident a pool table was destroyed at the corner of Kwame Nkrumah and Chinhoyi
Street opposite Chicken Slice. All the vendors had been ordered to close their market
stalls but the owner of the pool table ignored the order.
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