had to be postponed because of disagreements. Meanwhile, MDC-T had chaotic
meetings in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza and in Greendale. In St Mary’s the former
councillor, Adam Puzo, is accused of fanning factionalism within the party.
There are areas that were reported to have been peaceful, such as Zengeza
West, Chitungwiza north and south, as well as Warren Park.
The general political environment in the province was not very peaceful as
some residents were forced to attend Zanu-PF meetings. On 30 October 2015,
in Budiriro 5, Zanu-PF youths moved door-to-door ordering people to go and
register their identity cards at a Zanu-PF office at Current Shops. It was not
indicated why people should have their identity cards registered. However, a
few people complied with the instruction.
Highlights:
On 16 October 2015, there was an MDC-T party meeting at St Mary’s,
Ward 5, to tackle divisions that are said to be caused by, one, Adam Puzo
– provincial secretary for elections - who is believed to be gearing up to
contest to be Member of Parliament in that constituency. The meeting
which was chaired by one, Elizabeth Sibanda, who is part of the ward
leadership, turned sour and dissolved into clashes leading to at least one
person being beaten up by fists. There were accusations of spying and
threats of more physical violence before the meeting was abruptly
adjourned. Puzo could not be reached for comment, but St. Mary’s
legislator, Dickson Urayai Tarusenga, who was present when the above
incident occurred, confirmed the altercation to ZPP, saying several such
skirmishes were occurring in the constituency. The bone of contention,
Tarusenga told the ZPP, was that many felt that Puzo who had already
“launched” his campaign to contest to be MP “had started too early.
Between congresses, we need to work for the membership first,”
Tarusenga said. He also said that while the minor skirmishes were
occurring repeatedly here and there, the situation was, however, under
control and that it was manageable. “It is nothing serious. There are
people who don’t like the skirmishes and others who revel in them and
encourage them, but it is still at point where we are not overly
concerned. It just needs to be managed. As a party we condemn
violence,” the legislator said.
On 26 October 2015, Transform Zimbabwe had a meeting in Glen View
South. They did not finish the meeting as they were disturbed by some
Zanu-PF youths who came in three truckloads and assaulted people
gathered at the meeting. The youths accused the chairperson of
Transform Zimbabwe, Davison Chimuperu, of not having denounced his
Zanu-PF membership as he was once a Zanu-PF youth leader. Transform
Zimbabwe chief of protocol, David Rodhi Takaruza, confirmed the
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