Zanu-PF extorts money for Heroes celebrations

Civil servants, commercial companies and indigenous business people here have been forced to contribute towards the hosting of the provincial Heroes' Day celebrations to be held in the city this weekend.

Angry civil servants told The Zimbabwean last week that they were forced to fork out varying amounts according to seniority. "We were forced to pay between $2 and $20 - depending on one's position," said a member of the Zimbabwe National Army based at the 3 Brigade Army headquarters.

"I was forced to pay $2. Failure to pay meant one would be victimized and labelled an MDC-T supporter. We are earning peanuts yet they are coming to take away our hard earned cash," said a junior soldier at 3 Brigade. Business people were also forced to pay cash and supply commodities to be used at the commemorations. "They demanded $300 and some of my farm produce. I had no option but to give them. If I refused it was going to backfire for me as I would be labelled an enemy of Zanu-PF and this would jeopardize my business," said a local farmer.

"I saw some Zanu-PF officials accompanied by youths visiting all shops here demanding cash and goods. They demanded $200 from me and I gave them some drinks and beers. They also forced some butcheries to give meat. It is unfortunate that business people are always victims of Zanu-PF abuse when there is a function. We do not have any option," said a businessman in the city.

"We were informed that we should donate money for the celebrations, but because we make very little profit here, we argued that donations must not be compulsory," said a general manager at a Mutare company.

"They said they have blacklisted the company and it would soon be earmarked for indigenization. They said they will inform Kasukuwere to facilitate the indigenization and empowerment programme so that the company can be handed over to Zanu-PF supporters," he said.

Another source from a local company said: "We were labelled as an MDC company after we failed to pay the contributions. They said they would use an unspecified force to show us that Zanu-PF is in power. I told them that I am only an employee and I referred them to the company bosses in South Africa."

Comments