Mashonaland Central
The Independence Day commemorations held
in Mt Darwin on 18 April were characterised by
intimidation and harassment of citizens in
Mashonaland Central province. What was
supposed to be a unifying and celebratory event
turned out to be different with most vendors,
shop owners and flea market traders in Mt
Darwin town forced to close their businesses to
attend the commemorations.
Part of the business community was threatened
with withdrawala of business operating licences
if they failed to attend the commemorations.
This was reported to be a directive from the top
hierarchy of Zanu PF. Some of the people who
attended the commemorations were given
chicken and chips boxes some of which was
allegedly stale resulting in others having running
stomachs. People at Murenga village ward 24
were forced to contribute a dollar per household
towards the commemorations. In Guruve North
at Mukuya and Mucheri village ward 19, Zanu PF
Chairperson for Tafara branch Raymond Kondo
reportedly made villagers to contribute in cash
and in kind towards the commemorations.
In his speech President Mnangagwa declared
war on NGOs calling them “rogue” and
“surrogate entities” before accusing them of
causing division and disharmony among the
people, a false allegation which has been part of
Zanu PF propaganda for years.
The blame game by Zanu PF and government
came at a critical time when some high-profile
individuals linked to Zanu PF were exposed for
looting Zimbabwe’s natural resources following
a documentary produced by Al Jazeera
exposing
Harare
The CCC nomination exercise held in Harare to
select candidates contesting in the 2023 general
elections was marred by violence and other
electoral malpractices. There were reports of
violence in Glenorah where former Harare
Mayor Herbet Gomba’s supporters reportedly
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THE ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | APRIL 2023