Highlights:
On 2 April 2016, some mine workers in Chegutu West reportedly had an argument
with Zanu-PF youths who were evicting them on allegations of conducting MDC-T
activities at the farm. The mine workers were warned by Chief Ngezi that if they
continued supporting the opposition the mine would be closed. Rodney Sango (not
real name) is one of the workers at the farm who confirmed the incident to ZPP.
On 3 April 2016, MDC-T youths from Ward 23 were called to Karoi for a meeting.
Joe Dzepatsva, a Zanu-PF youth noted down all the names of the youths who went to
the meeting. He told the youths that he had noted them down and promised to deal
with them in 2018. He said the police was going to help him deal with the youths
during the 2018 elections.
On 10 April 2016, in Chegutu East, councillor for Ward 16, Ethilde Mubhanga,
reportedly sent Zanu-PF cell chairpersons to collect US$1 from residents for
Independence Day celebrations. Among the chairpersons were Gibson Murawu and
Martin Rukovo. Residents were told that those who did not pay were labelled as ‘sellouts ‘and were not going to benefit from food distribution. The celebrations were
held at Mukwasha Business Centre and Wadze Business Centre on 18 April 2016.
On 14 April 2016, ZimPF members who were conducting door-to-door campaigns in
Pfupajena in Chegutu West were chased by Zanu-PF supporters. They were told that
it was a no-go area for the opposition party and were accused of being thieves who
wanted to steal in their houses.
In Ward 1 of Zvimba West constituency villagers were forced to make contributions
of US$2.00, mealie meal as well as anything in the form of foodstuff for the
Independence Day celebrations. Villagers were forced to attend the celebrations at
Guzha Business Centre. They were told failure to attend would mean that they were
an opposition party supporter. Most people attended the celebrations for fear of being
labelled opposition party supporters.
On 14 April 2016, in Muzvezve one woman, Grace Zhandu (not real name) was
forced to pay US$2 for the Independence Day celebrations even after she had
indicated that she would not be around on the day of the festivities.
On 16 April 2016, at Chiwara Business Centre in Chakari, there was a meeting to plan
for Independence Day celebrations. Wilfred Zvivada district chairperson for Zanu-PF
who had sourced a beast for the celebrations had an argument with John Nousa. John
accused Wilfred of giving people meat from Lacoste which is a term used to refer to
the faction led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sabotage Aldrin Musiiwa
the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Edward Ngani the MP aspirant.
On 16 April 2016, at Chaedza Hall Mzimba Ward 8 in Chinhoyi the National Peace
and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Bill public hearings conducted by a
parliamentary committee was convened and delegates present included MPs from
different provinces and Peter Mataruse the MP for Chinhoyi. Members of the ruling
Zanu PF party started disrupting the proceedings by singing revolutionary songs and
chanting slogans. Most of those who attended the hearing eventually had to leave the
venue in a hurry for fear of being assaulted. The meeting was therefore abandoned.
On 17 April 2016, Zanu-PF district chairperson Fanny Makamure went around Ward
16 telling people that those who did not attend the celebrations were ‘sell-outs’. It is
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