Intimidation rocks BVR process in some parts of the country

Heal Zimbabwe Trust has reported that intimidation has started rocking parts of the country as the registration process of voters is on going.

The organisation said in Manicaland Province in Buhera ward 25, Vengai Muchinami a Village Development Committee (VIDCO) member intimidated community members during a community meeting conducted on the 2nd of October 2017 at Matsetsa Business Centre.

He reportedly announced that the BVR process will allow Zanu PF to identify all community members who would have voted against Zanu PF. He also stated that once this is done, they will then embark on door to door exercises beating up the "culprits".

 "In Mashonaland East at Maramba Pfungwe ward 6 on 9 October, Zanu PF District chairperson Cleopas Kotuku, village head Chirinda and his secretary Edson Maworera forced people to pay 50 cents towards the issuance of the proof of residence to be used for the BVR process. This happened in Chirinda village in ward 6," said the trust.

 "In Maramba Pfungwe ward 6 Village head Kerious Marekera intimidated community members during a community meeting conducted on the 9th of October in Mukwatsine village. The village head ordered community members to submit registration slips to him once they register to vote. He further highlighted that the BVR process will reveal to ZANU PF the candidates that people will have voted for."

 The trust said Maramba Pfungwe ward 1 Councillor Pedzisai Makoma intimidated community members during a meeting at Nyanzou Primary school on the 4th of October.

"At this meeting, Councillor Makoma announced that people who will vote for the opposition will be detected by the BVR machines, hence they should repent from supporting the opposition. Councillor Makoma further highlighted that all opposition party supporters will be heavily beaten after the 2018 elections," said the trust.

 "In Maramba Pfungwe ward 2 Maramba Pfungwe Member of Parliament, Washington Musvaire intimidated village heads during a meeting conducted on the 10th of October at Gowe Business centre. He instructed all Village heads to record people's names as they register to vote and ensure that they record their details and serial numbers of voter registration slips."

 The trust said Mutoko South ward 26 Zanu PF District Chairperson Gift Chirova and Kudakwashe Nyagano told people at Corner Store Business centre in ward 26 that after registering to vote, each person should submit the serial number of the registration slip to their village heads and Zanu officials.  

"They said this on the 9th of October. Chirova and Nyagano threatened those who defy with violence and evictions. In Mutoko East ward 17 on 10 October 2017, Zanu PF Youth chairperson Kuda Kagoro directed all traditional leaders to force-march people to BVR registration centres. He instructed them that each traditional leader should go with people within his jurisdiction to the registration centre and make sure everyone registers to vote. Kagoro also told the Traditional leaders to compile names of people who refuse to cooperate," said the trust.