News / Local
Zanu-PF takes villagers to traditional court for bunking party meetings
27 Jul 2022 at 01:42hrs | Views
SCORES of Hurungwe villagers were Monday summoned to appear before a traditional court to explain their continued absenteeism at Zanu-PF meetings and events.
About 50 people, mostly Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists, were subpoenaed to appear before headman Patrick Samuel's court where they were labelled "sellouts".
Sources told NewZimbabwe.com, Hurungwe East Ward 2 councillor, Edward Makarani, and the Zanu-PF Masikati District leadership were also involved in harassing villagers for allegedly sabotaging the ruling party. Those summoned face allegations they belong to opposition CCC.
Said a source: "Villagers in Tengwe are under renewed attack from traditional leaders, with help from Zanu-PF apparatchiks, for failing to attend Zanu-PF meetings.
"A kangaroo court which lasted a record five hours was held at Chehamba Primary School in Tengwe on Monday, disrupting learning and voter inspection in the process."
CCC interim spokesperson, Blessing Mandava confirmed the development.
"I personally had a telephone conversation with the Zanu-PF district secretary, Headman Patrick Samuel, after getting complaints from our members.
One of our members reported the case at Tengwe Police Station and the accused persons were summoned," said Mandava.
Efforts to get comments from Samuel were fruitless at the time of publishing.
Meetings called by the ruling party are attracting small numbers failing to reach quorum, resulting in most being aborted.
This has been blamed on CCC's rural mobilisation strategy dubbed #Mugwazo, which has reportedly rattled Zanu-PF now frantically trying to thwart the opposition from reaching predominantly Zanu-PF strongholds in outlying communities.
"We would like to inform these overzealous Zanu-PF members that their waning party has no title deeds to this nation, hence its members or leaders must not force citizens to attend its meetings. The sunset party must respect the citizens' freedoms and liberties and not violate them for political expediency," Mandava added.
About 50 people, mostly Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists, were subpoenaed to appear before headman Patrick Samuel's court where they were labelled "sellouts".
Sources told NewZimbabwe.com, Hurungwe East Ward 2 councillor, Edward Makarani, and the Zanu-PF Masikati District leadership were also involved in harassing villagers for allegedly sabotaging the ruling party. Those summoned face allegations they belong to opposition CCC.
Said a source: "Villagers in Tengwe are under renewed attack from traditional leaders, with help from Zanu-PF apparatchiks, for failing to attend Zanu-PF meetings.
"A kangaroo court which lasted a record five hours was held at Chehamba Primary School in Tengwe on Monday, disrupting learning and voter inspection in the process."
CCC interim spokesperson, Blessing Mandava confirmed the development.
"I personally had a telephone conversation with the Zanu-PF district secretary, Headman Patrick Samuel, after getting complaints from our members.
One of our members reported the case at Tengwe Police Station and the accused persons were summoned," said Mandava.
Efforts to get comments from Samuel were fruitless at the time of publishing.
Meetings called by the ruling party are attracting small numbers failing to reach quorum, resulting in most being aborted.
This has been blamed on CCC's rural mobilisation strategy dubbed #Mugwazo, which has reportedly rattled Zanu-PF now frantically trying to thwart the opposition from reaching predominantly Zanu-PF strongholds in outlying communities.
"We would like to inform these overzealous Zanu-PF members that their waning party has no title deeds to this nation, hence its members or leaders must not force citizens to attend its meetings. The sunset party must respect the citizens' freedoms and liberties and not violate them for political expediency," Mandava added.
Source - NewZimbabwe
