#PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
MASVINGO
, FOUR CCC OFFICIALS
WERE ARRESTED
WHILE CONDUCTING A
PARTY PROGRAMME
IN ZAKA NORTH
CONSTITUENCY
BULAWAYO
ZANU PF ACTIVISTS
FORCED VENDORS TO BUY
PARTY CARDS
MAT
NORTH
ZANU PF ALSO
CONTINUED TO USE
FOOD AS AN
INSTRUMENT TO
CAMPAIGN
In the province, as in others, Zanu PF supporters have
already begun targeting opposition supporters while the
police have continued to act in a partisan manner,
arbitrarily arresting CCC supporters. For example, on 21
May 2022, in Zaka North, four CCC officials were
arrested while conducting a party programme in Zaka
North Constituency. The four, Johannes Chongore,
Manners Mundoga, Method Gwangwava and Tendai
Machisani were arrested in Zaka and taken to Central
Investigations Department Law and Order Masvingo. The
arrests come on the backdrop of a number of cases
countrywide, where CCC supporters have either been
arrest or harassed for simply conducting their campaigns
and this is happening as other political parties are freely
conducting their business.
The month of May witnessed the rise of political intolerance
among political parties. This was due to the fact that election
momentum has been heightened by the recent by-elections. A
case of political intolerance was reported at Esiqongweni of
Magwegwe constituency, when Adam Mtshayisa of an unknown
political party intimidated Sizakele Mhlanga. It is said that
Mtshayisa intimidated Mhlanga who was wearing Zapu regalia
and passed a remark that members of Zapu deserve to be
beaten for disrespecting the government.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF party continued with its systematic
intimidation of citizens in the province. On 9 May it was
reported that Zanu PF activist identified as Kuda Chamboko
went around forcing vendors to buy new party cards or risk
losing their stands at Mkambo market.
Political intolerance at the highest level happened in this
province when CCC leader Nelson Chamisa was barred from
attending the funeral of Chief Mabhikwa, who died in a car
accident this month. It is said that Chamisa arrived at the
funeral and just as his security team was about to open the
vehicle doors- state security agents blocked them while
others were manhandled. The state security agents went to
lay a siege on Chamisa’s vehicle, leaving him having to follow
the entire funeral proceedings from his car.
Zanu PF also continued to use food as an instrument to
campaign and in Bubi constituency, a Zanu PF activist
identified as David Moyo of Ward 5 deprived food aid to
perceived opposition supporters. A similar incident happened
at Siyangaya village, where Zanu PF activist only identified as
Mandla Lifa intimidated villagers at the local shops, and said
that those who failed to vote for Zanu PF in 2023 would be
struck off the list of inputs beneficiaries.
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