Villagers threatened with evictions if they do not vote for Zanu PF

Villagers are reportedly being forced to vote for Zanu PF in the coming elections or face eviction from the areas in parts of Mashonaland and Midlands.

Heal Zimbabwe Trust reported that in Nyanga District's Ward 2 on 24 March 2017, Zanu PF convened a meeting at Avila business centre.

"The meeting was addressed by Zanu PF ward 2 chairperson, Wilson Sauro and Councillor Joseph Kadyamusuma. They told people that if they fail to vote for ZANU PF in the 2018 elections, Zanu PF was going to unleash violence similar to the one experienced in the 2008 elections. They also announced that all Village heads should ensure that people from their villages attend all Zanu PF meetings called for in the ward," said the trust.

"On 27 March 2017, Chief Katerere and Village head Chabvura ordered 18 Village heads from ward 3 to evict people who fail to produce Zanu PF membership cards and also ensure that they do not receive food aid. To date, Village head Chabvura has already started asking people in his village to produce Zanu PF membership cards during food distribution meetings."

In Gokwe North District at Gokwe Gumunyu ward 19, Village heads Matenga and Marima are forcing people to join Zanu PF. On 26 March 2017, the two Village heads sent out their secretaries who moved around the villages announcing that food aid will only be given to people with Zanu PF membership cards.

"Failure to purchase the cards would result in denial of food aid. In Gokwe South District Ward 12, on the 27th of March, Zanu PF youth chairman Joskia Chimowa and Zanu PF District Chairperson Tobias Ngwenya convened a meeting at Kwaramba ward centre. The two announced that people who were in the habit of boycotting Zanu PF ward meetings called for, risked eviction from the village. The two also conducted a meeting on 28 March 2017 at Svisvi business centre. At the meeting, the two took down names of people at the meeting and also announced that people who had failed to attend the meeting were going to be denied food aid," said the trust.

In Guruve District, Guruve South ward 11, on 25 March 2017, Village head Charles Mukodzani who also doubles as Zanu PF chairperson for ward 11 and Village head Killer Chigonero convened a meeting at Nyamhondoro Secondary school.

"At the meeting, the two Village heads announced that everyone in the ward was supposed to purchase Zanu PF membership cards that costs $3 if they still wanted to continue receiving food aid. They also announced that if anyone defies the directive, they risked being evicted from their villages. Ward 11 Councillor, Samuel Machumi also attended the meeting and concurred with the Village heads by also announcing that people who fail to produce Zanu PF membership cards during food aid distribution meetings were going to be denied food aid," said the trust.

"In Mbire ward 9 on the 26th of March 2017, Zanu PF held a meeting at Mushumbi growth point. The meeting was addressed by Zanu PF Provincial member, Jonasi Kushiwa and Zanu PF District chairperson, Robert Chawada .The two told village heads at the meeting that they were supposed to compile names of people who were present at the meeting and ensure that they continue to receive food aid. They also told the Village heads to deny food aid to people who boycott Zanu PF meetings in the ward."