#PROVINCIAL OUTLOOK
MASVINGO
A VILLAGE HEAD AT
RUKOMBA DRAGGED
HIS BROTHER TO
COURT, ACCUSING
HIM OF WEARING A
CCC PARTY T-SHIRT ON
INDEPENDENCE DAY
BULAWAYO
ZANU PF ACTIVISTS
FORCED VENDORS TO
ATTEND THE
INDEPENDENCE DAY
EVENT
MAT
NORTH
IN GWANDA NORTH SOME
OPPOSITION CITIZENS WERE
DENIED A CHANCE TO BE
VETTED AS WAR
COLLABORATORS
Political persecution continued in Masvingo
province with CCC supporters being targeted by
both Zanu PF supporters and traditional leaders. In
one of the cases in Masvingo Central, the village
head at Rukomba allegedly summoned his brother
to the traditional court, where he was accused of
wearing a CCC party t-shirt on Independence Day.
The village head went on to demand a fine in the
form a goat from his brother, and if he failed to pay,
the village head would seize part of his communal
land. This practice goes against the law, which is
clear that traditional leaders should not be affiliated
to any political party. ZPP continues to urge the
leadership of the traditional leaders, the Chief’s
Council to foster non-partisanship among
traditional leaders who often use their influence to
intimidate and harass members of the opposition
Bulawayo hosted the main activities for the commemorations
of independence. This was the first ever independence
celebrations since 1980. To make the event a success, Zanu
PF structures unfortunately forced people to make
contributions to what was supposed to be a national event.
On the eve of the independence celebrations, Zanu PF
activists Mpumelelo Moyo and one Admire forced vendors to
attend the Independence Day event at Barbourfields Stadium.
It is said the duo also warned the vendors that on the day
they needed to shut down the Mkambo market and take part
in the celebrations and anyone found selling risked losing
their vending stall.
The vetting program of the war collaborators across the
nation is still underway. In Lupane West at Jotsholo, it was
noted that even those born towards the war end have been
registered, raising suspicions, the programme is meant to be
a rallying point for Zanu PF ahead of the 2023 elections. In
Manama in Gwanda North, one Bernard Nyoni discriminated
some opposition citizens who had gathered to be vetted as
war collaborators. It is said that Nyoni told the gathered that
the program was meant to boost electoral numbers for Zanu
PF in the forthcoming elections and therefore it was meant to
only benefit members of the ruling party.
20