Masvingo
Threats against opposition supporters and
teachers suspected to have been aligned with
the opposition CCC by Zanu PF characterised
the situation in Masvingo province. In Mwenezi
East, Ward 5, it was reported that at Maswaswe
ward centre, there was a Zanu PF meeting which
notified villagers of the results of the Zanu PF
primaries, where the successful MP candidate
Sheilla Chikomo and Ward 5 councillor
candidate E. Masvingo were unveiled.
The meeting is said to have been addressed by
the Zanu PF area chairperson Tavonga
Mapuranga who warned those not attending
Zanu PF meetings that they were going to have
their names listed and would be assaulted even
worse than what happened in the 2008
elections rerun. In Bikita South, Ward 1, it was
reported that Gamuchirai Kumwe of Zanu PF
demanded that a teacher at Tamuka Secondary
school provide a list of names of teachers who
were suspected to belong to the opposition
CCC. The teacher then referred Kumwe to Mr.
Gochai, the district chairperson. This is indicative
that there is going to be intimidation of teachers
during the electoral period. Kumwe is reported
to be a FAZ member. She spent her time looking
for CCC members and listing their names.
Midlands
In the Midlands, political violence and politically
motivated threats were the order of the day in
April 2023. It was reported that Lovemore
Mavhurere Ncube of Madaupandu village in
Ward 38 Gokwe Chireya was allegedly assaulted
in a suspected intra-party violence case. This
happened on 14 April 2023 at Ushambo Shops
in Chireya while Mavhurere was drinking beer.
He was reportedly approached by Jethro
Chidzivo and another unidentified man.
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THE ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT | APRIL 2023