3.1.8 Bulawayo
The highlight of political activities in Bulawayo this month is the proliferation of hate
speech as political parties shape themselves ahead of the 2023 elections.
In Nkulumane constituency, the control of the informal sector workers continued.
A Mthwakazi activist allegedly threatened vendors in the area with violence if they
continued to take instructions from Zanu PF and not the council.
Informal sector workers are often a strategic tool for political parties. This is because it is
council that provides them operating spaces.
Zanu PF and MDC Alliance, the two parties that have the biggest influence in local
authorities, try to use their presence in council to control these operating spaces.
Throughout the province, Zanu PF is going around forcing vendors to join their cell groups.
One Delani Moyo of Zanu PF said those who failed to register under his party could soon
lose licenses.
3.1.8 Matebeleland North
Zanu PF has launched a new campaign blueprint that compliments their target to reach five
million votes.
The new blueprint was launched in Hwange district amid calls to elect a new provincial
executive and this led to divisions and conflict.
In Tsholotsho South at Ngqoya homestead, a Zanu PF activist identified as Philani
Zondo allegedly likened opposition members to dogs ‘that do not have an ideology.’
A similar case was recorded in Bubi constituency at Nkenyane area, where Zanu PF activists
led by Gift Moyo were going around forcing small scale miners to go and register as voters
at a local Zanu PF office. Moyo threatened the miners that in the event they fail to register
under the cell group they risk being evicted from the area.
Food aid remains a weapon to control the electorate in Lupane district. A case of
intimidation and threat was recorded in Lupane West constituency where a Zanu PF activist
identified as Tryphine Khumalo told villagers to register under her party cell group or risk
being removed from the food aid distribution list. It is said that she warned the villagers
that come 2023, Zanu PF will be the only party in Zimbabwe and the rest will be swallowed
by her party.
Even in Binga North opposition activists have been targeted and intimidated by Chief Saba
of Binga North in Ward 9.
He has instructed all village heads to report any meeting convened by the members of the
opposition. It is said that Chief Saba had instructed village heads to draw up a list of any
opposition members seen moving around so that they could be dealt with.