Manicaland
The period was characterised by harassment, theft and coerced monetary contributions as
people were forced to contribute monies towards the Independence Day celebrations. In some
instances villagers who failed to pay were labelled sell outs while in others traditional leaders
threatened them with denial of food assistance in the event that they fail to pay.
A parliamentary committee held some public hearings in the province to solicit people’s
views on the NPRC Bill. Some of the meetings were disrupted by war veterans who felt that
the commission was being disrespectful of the state and the province after the province had
lost two distinguished war gurus in the likes of Victoria Chitepo and Vivian Mwashita. The
war veterans’ queried the holding of the consultative meeting in Mutare on the day when two
of its daughters were being laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre.
The MDC-T organised a well attended International Women’s Day celebration at Watsomba
Business Centre Mutasa Central on 2 April 2016. Thokozani Khupe- the MDC-T Vice
President. Zanu-PF did not attend the event. Mutasa Central is represented by Trevor
Saruwaka who is an MDC-T Member of Parliament.
Highlights:
On 16 April 2016, Chief Chipfatsura (Solomon Chipfatsura) of Ward 4 Mutare North
issued out orders through his aide, Danmore Matopi, that all villagers had to
contribute US$1-00 each towards the Independence Day celebrations. The order
affected even the economically weak who could not afford the money in this
environment of liquidity and cash shortages. It is important to note that traditional
leaders are engaging themselves in state and political party issues a thing outside their
mandate.
In Chimanimani West Ward 17, councillor Lovemore Utseya of Zanu-PF, forced
villagers to pay US$1-00 per household towards the Independence Day celebrations.
The actor claimed that those that failed to pay would not access food aid in the ward.
The order affected even the elderly including 80-year-old Mbuya Zunde (not real
name) of Village 17.
On 12 April 2016, in Mutare North, Chief Chipfatsura Ward 4 forced people in the
ward to attend a ward meeting where he threatened those who refuse to pay US$1-00
towards the Independence Day celebrations that they risk accessing food aid if they
failed to adhere to the instruction. The threat affected the unemployed, who included
Joshua Sanangurayi and Phineas Manduku (not real names).
Mashonaland Central
The province had a by-election in Guruve South on 23 April 2016, where the seat had
become vacant following the ouster of then MP Criswell Mutematsaka for his alleged links
with sacked former Vice President Mujuru. In the by-elections Zanu-PF was represented by
Patrick Dutiro and National Constitutional Assembly party by Simbarashe Mutsvene. ZanuPF won the elections which were said to be peaceful. Reported cases during the month
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