Matabeleland North
Prominent on political party activities was ZimPF led by Mujuru which was on a recruitment
drive in the province. Two of their activists who were distributing fliers at Lupane Business
centre were harassed by plain clothes detectives. The rest of the districts did not record
incidents. However food violations on political grounds were noted in several areas.
Highlights
On 12 May at village 6 in ward 7, Bubi a neighbourhood watch committee member and
Zanu PF activist arrested two identified MDC-T members for allegedly fighting with
village head Secretary Milton Dube who had refused to register them for drought relief
food. The food was from social welfare but the Zanu PF activists said it was party food
meant for its members only.
On 20 May in Tsholotsho North Zanu PF mobilised hundreds of youths to attend the
One Million Man March in Harare on 25 May.
On 2 May two identified men were distributing ZimPF fliers at Lupane Business centre,
Lupane East when they were accosted by the Criminal Investigation Department and
Law and Order officers who demanded to know who had given them the fliers. They
ordered them to report to the police station. The two then phoned their leader who came
from Bulawayo and met with the police on 14 May. The officers recorded names and
particulars of the two men who now feel very unsafe.
On 2 May Zanu PF held a meeting at Mawabeni, Umzingwane and said they wanted as
many people as possible to go to Harare for the One Million Man March. They said all
those willing to go would benefit from government programs in the area. Most people
felt this was discriminatory as even non Zanu PF people were supposed to benefit from
government programs.
Matabeleland South
The majority of the reported cases were mainly food related incidents. The debilitating
drought has seen some villagers surviving on one meal a day with some going for a whole
day without food. Politicisation of drought relief food mostly by Zanu PF activists was wide
spread. These activists use their political muscles to deny opponents access to food. The
shortage of cash in banks has also exacerbated the food situation. The department of social
welfare has been trying to provide food relief but still several families could not be registered
on the scheme.
Highlights:
On 18 May in Gwanda North a war veteran and Zanu PF member Mr Abednico Nyoni
aged 58 threatened to beat up a Councillor aged 73 who is a member of MDC led by
Professor Welshman Ncube during a review meeting of the Independence
celebrations. Nyoni barred the councillor from chairing the meeting saying the
meeting should be chaired by a Zanu PF person because independence is not for the
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