every registered villager. Kadyamusuma is reported to have
praised Zanu PF and strongly denounced the opposition MDC-
assigned one Mai Munashe Njanji (a wife to Lovemore Njanji
T and the G40. It was also said that after the Zanu PF slogans’
who is a driver at Avila hospital) to note serial numbers of all
chanting, Ziki is alleged to have told the villagers that she was
registered voters in Kadyamusuma village ward 2. The
going to give fertilizer to Zanu PF supporters only.
villagers are reported to be afraid to withhold this information
as they were being intimidated with unspecified but
On 10 January, in Mutare Central, it was reported that schools
‘disastrous’ consequences.
around the city turned away pupils, for non-payment of school
fees. It is alleged that one of the affected schools is Baring
In Nyanga North ward 3, Maruza village a case of villagers
Primary. According to Tafadzwa Ziki* a parent who
being requested for their voter registration slips’ serial
confirmed the development said his son could was not allowed
numbers was reported on 4 January. It is alleged that Tendai
even to enter the gate at Baring Primary without proof of
Nyamuwe a well-known Zanu PF activist was reported to
payment. Other affected schools include Mutare Boys High,
have been taking note of the voter registration slips’ serial
Murahwa Primary school, Chikanga Secondary, St Joseph
numbers of all registered voters in that village. He is alleged to
Secondary, St Dominic High, Nyamauru Secondary, Mutare
have said that he had been sent by
Junior School and St Marys Secondary.
ZEC to conduct the
exercise, which was exposed as a lie by villagers as ZEC
officers operating as voter educators in the ward refuted
On 11 January, in Chikanga/Dangamvura ward 17 Nat view
having instructed anyone to carry out such an operation.
Park, it is reported that the Zanu PF party distributed food aid
to residents, a move which was viewed as vote buying by
On 4 January in ward 2, Taibo village Nyanga North, it was
some residents. It is alleged that the Chikanga/Dangamvura
reported that the Zanu PF ward youth chairperson Wendy
lawmaker Esau Fungai Mupfumi on the day in question gave
Sabungu called for a meeting. It is alleged that at this meeting
rice to about 200 residents. It is reported that according to the
where most villagers were forced to attend, Sabungu
Zanu PF ward political commissar Tinashe Usavi, they (as
compelled all of them to submit their voter registration slips’
Zanu PF) noted down the registration serial numbers of the
serial numbers for recording to him. He is reported to have
prospective residents and gave 3kgs of rice per person. He is
further told the villagers that the serial numbers are wanted by
reported to have further said they noted the serial numbers in
ZEC.
order to know the residents’ political influence.
On 8 January, in Buhera West, it was reported that ward 5
A meeting was called by Zanu PF chairperson Brighton
villagers gathered at Jaggers Business Centre in anticipation to
Muzvuzvu in Chimanimani West which was supposed to be
receive ammonium nitrate fertilizers. It is alleged that ward
attended by all villagers irrespective of political affiliation. It
Councillor Jane Ziki, one Forward Sadzi and Albert Chikukwa
is alleged that villagers were ordered to carry with them their
all of Zanu PF then turned the occasion into a Zanu PF
voter registration slips to that meeting on 12 January. It was
campaign meeting. It was said that these three took turns to
also said that those without the slips or who did not register to
chant Zanu PF slogans forcing villagers to join in as they
vote were not supposed to attend. Rice was distributed after
15