team was to encourage youths to live in peace despite their political
differences. Shadow Councillor Chigango of Zanu PF met with other Zanu PF
youth leaders and accused Soko of influencing youths to turn against the
government because he is a member of Zimrights. Soko was removed from
his position as the chairperson of the league by Chigango on July 20.
In Muzarabani South ward 17, Muriel Mhofu*, Bennet Manesta* both of MDCT were called by the Zanu PF councillor Proud Pfodzo on 22 nd July to his
house. The two were called to the councillor’s home where they were told that
if they kept supporting MDC-T they were not going to benefit from any aid
programmes and were to be evicted from the area. The two were given until 1
August to surrender MDC-T materials and join Zanu PF. The case was not
reported and they did not go back to Pfodzo to surrender. They said they were
going to report to MDC-T offices after the Heroes Day holiday.
Itai Muchena* aged 20 of Kadyamaunga village in ward 4 Mazowe North was
hired by Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) party to be a polling agent
at Chigwida Primary School during the by-election of 23 July. Muchena was
then summoned by the Zanu PF leadership in his village led by branch
chairperson Cde Gwindi two days later. Gwindi saw the victim when he visited
the polling station where he was an election agent. Muchena’s parents were
also summoned and questioned by the Zanu PF leadership. His father, a
headman, was forced to kneel down facing charges of selling out. The victim
in his defence referred the perpetrators to Phiri, who had influenced Muchena
to be a polling agent. Phiri* had to travel from Forrester B section where he
works to Chiweshe. After meeting Phiri the Zanu PF leadership forgave the
victim but his parents refused to report the case to the police for fear of further
victimisation. Phiri is said to have explained that they only wanted to make
money after having heard that the opposition party had no polling agents.
On 26 July in Mazowe North a meeting was held at Forrester farm where
Advocate Martin Dinha was to address the people. Dinha encouraged people
to vote for him in the coming by-elections. It is reported that the aspiring
Member of Parliament Dinha took over an office from the farm owners and
said he wanted to turn it into a Zanu PF office. Youths were promised farms
which were going to be taken from all white farmers in the area. It was said
that his office was in the process of writing offer letters to be given to the
youths.
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