MDC-T member assaulted for refusing to board bus to Heroes acre

An MDC-T member in Maroindera Central Tendai Nungu was recently allegedly assaulted by Zanu PF member Gift Midzi for refusing to board a bus which was transporting people to the  Heroes acre in Dombotombo.

Zimbabwe Peace Project reported that on 3 April 2016, in Marondera Central, Nungu of MDC-T refused to board a bus to Heroes Acre in Dombotombo, which he was being forced to board by Gift Midzi of Zanu-PF.

"He was then assaulted by Midzi resulting in him suffering a broken leg. It is reported that the victim's leg was broken at several points," ZPP reported.

"On 10 April 2016, people in Hwedza North were told to pay US$0.50 as transport for maize. People paid money thinking that they were going to get maize. On 15 April 2016 people were told to top up another US$0.50 to make it a dollar for Independence Day celebrations," ZPP reported.

"The Zanu-PF party district coordinating committee chairperson, Peter Chigodora gave the instruction throughout the Hwedza District. All cell leaders in Hwedza North among them, Philip Ben and Barry Chimusipu, were tasked with collecting the contributions. People were forced to contribute after being threatened that if they did not pay they were not going to get maize. The celebrations were attended by mainly school children and very few adults at Hwedza Centre. There were a lot of food leftovers due to low attendance."

ZPP also said on 15 April 2016, in Ward 20 Mutoko South at the town centre, ZimPF supporters had booked to have a rally to fill the gaps in their party structures but the police refused to clear them on several occasions.

"On this day they met at Mutoko dip tank but they did not know that a Zanu-PF youth chairperson Jembere had connived with the police. The police in the company of Jembere stormed the meeting and arrested Foya and ten others. The rest escaped and sustained injuries in the process. The victims were forced to fill in the party structure form inside the Criminal Investigation Department office to enable the police to know the identities of people in those positions," ZPP reported.

ZimPF youth leader Prosper Gavanga confirmed the incident.

On 16 April 2016, John Kadera (former MDC-T candidate in 2008) wanted to go to a Zanu-PF meeting at Makaha Primary School in Ward 14, Mudzi South. He was asked by Philip Chinovava what he wanted since he was an MDC-T member.

"He told them that he wanted to join Zanu-PF but was told to go back home. After he left it was reported that Chinovava told his colleagues (Chinovava's) that they were going to deal with him in 2018 as he wanted to spy on Zanu-PF to report to MDC-T," reported ZPP.