injuries. The youth accused the victim of discouraging people from attending the anti-sanctions march which was
held on the 25th of October 2019.
The ruling party’s role in perpetuating division was also notable in an incident reported in Uzumba at Mutawatawa
Business Centre on 6 November 2019. An estimated 200 villagers were forced to convene at the Business Centre by
Zanu PF, where Councilor Shepherd Mushamba harassed and intimidated the group, particularly village heads due
to their failure to produce registers with names of those who are alleged to be undermining the President. The
perpetrators threatened that there would be penalties if village heads failed to produce the lists in the next meeting.
The persistent nature of discrimination is notable in that employment opportunities are also being awarded along
partisan lines. In Gokwe Chireya on 5 November 2019, the Chireya District Development Fund base camp led by one
Machope who is the supervisor recruited a sizeable number of labourers to clear rubble along roads in ward 4. The
recruitment was politicised as anyone who wanted to be hired was asked to bring a reference letter from their
village head indicating that they were members of the Zanu PF party. Known opposition supporters were told to be
‘clean’ first, inferring that they should defect to the ruling party.
In Mt Darwin South on 15 November 2019, people seeking employment at Pfura Council offices in ward 26 were
advised to get recommendation letters from Zanu PF party chairperson Paradzai Dumbura. Reports are that Kenneth
Zinga, a council employee told a job seeker that he was only accepting employment applications from individuals
with ruling party recommendations signed by the party’s chairperson.
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