Villagers forced to attend Zanu-PF rallies

Villagers in Chimanimani are reportedly being forced by the village head to attend Zanu-PF rallies of which if they fail they are threatened with unspecified actions.

Heal Zimbabwe Trust reported that on 16 November 2016, Village heads Mahama, Mukotsori, Tambarare, Ngani, Muchakagara, Mwaguta, Mundireki and Nyore told villagers in their areas that they were all supposed to attend a Zanu-PF campaign rally at Muwonde base in ward 4 on the 17 November 2016.

"The rally was to be addressed by Zanu-PF candidate in the Chimanimani West by election, Nokuthula Matsikenyere and Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Oppah Muchinguri. The Village heads warned people that those who fail to attend will not receive food aid. The Village heads also announced that they will be marking a register at the campaign rally. Muwonde base is a torture base that was used by Zanu-PF to torture and intimidate opposition party supporters during the violent 2008 elections," said the trust.

Thew trust said Zanu-PF ward chairperson, Washington Dirikwe is threatening people in the area that if they do not vote for Zanu-PF candidate in the by election, Nokuthula Matsikenyere, his party will ensure that no one in the ward will receive food aid.

"Dirikwe said this on 13 November 2016, while addressing a rally at Nyanyadzi Primary school where he also told villagers who had attended the meeting that on the day of the by election they should pretend that they cannot write and therefore require assistance in voting. Dirikwe said this would ensure Zanu-PF wins the by election. Dirikwe also distributed maize at the meeting where he said that if they still wanted to continue receiving food aid, they should vote for Matsikenyere," said the trust.

"On 15 November 2016, unidentified youths believed to be from Chimanimani West ward 4 threatened people at Mhandarume shopping centre that if they do not vote for the Zanu-PF candidate in the Chimanimani West by election, Nokuthula Matsikenyere they will have their houses burnt. The youths told everyone at the business centre that only Zanu-PF was eligible to rule Zimbabwe. The youths also announced that if anyone fails to vote for Zanu-PF in the coming by-election, they will not continue receiving food aid."

The trust said Zanu-PF ward chairperson, Elizabeth Karasawo told villagers at a food for work programme in the ward on 13 November 2016 that only Zanu-PF members are going to continue receiving food aid from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

"Karasawo also told the people that identification and registration of food beneficiaries was going to be done by Zanu-PF members in the area. Karasawo also pointed out that if community members wanted to continue being part of the food for work programme, they should vote for the Zanu-PF candidate in the coming by election," said the trust.

"Zanu-PF aspiring candidate for Chimanimani West, Nokuthula Matsekenyere held a rally on the 12th of November 2016 at Biriviri Business Centre. Prior the meeting, community members had been told that the meeting was going to be a food distribution meeting. Villagers were shocked when the meeting turned out to be a Zanu-PF campaign rally. At the rally, Matsekenyere addressed the crowd and highlighted that the food aid was coming from the Social Welfare department which is headed by a Minister from Zanu-PF hence if the people want to continue receiving aid they should vote for her not any other party."