Zanu-PF MP threatens to evict settlers for supporting opposition

Concerns are growing over potential retaliatory actions by Zanu-PF against Chiwundura plot holders, who are facing possible eviction due to their alleged support for the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) in the recently concluded harmonized elections.

There is also a looming threat of eviction for many occupants of government-owned houses near Guinea Fowl School who are believed to have played a role in supporting Nelson Chamisa's CCC.

Sleiman Kwidini, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Chiwundura, is reportedly spearheading an effort to identify and remove known or suspected opposition members as punishment for challenging him in the parliamentary race.

Although Kwidini emerged victorious in the election with over 10,800 votes against CCC's Blessing Murondiwa's 7,266, the ruling Zanu-PF is allegedly planning retaliatory actions in Wards 9, 10, 13, and 14.

Beneficiaries of the government resettlement program who received smallholder plots are said to be under pressure from the sitting MP, who is collaborating with Forever Associates of Zimbabwe, an organization with reported links to the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), to target individuals, especially in Ward 14, where a by-election is scheduled for November 11.

Ironically, despite the crackdown, CCC won only one out of the nine wards in the Chiwundura constituency, while Zanu-PF secured victory in eight.

The losing CCC parliamentary candidate, Murondiwa, expressed concerns about the situation, stating, "We are raising awareness about this as a preemptive measure to stop the victimization of innocent citizens for exercising their constitutional right to vote for the party of their choice. Intimidation is rampant in Chiwundura."

Murondiwa also highlighted incidents such as arson linked to Zanu-PF's actions against CCC supporters, including the burning of a field belonging to an aspiring female CCC councillor, Anna Matambiko.

In Ward 13, there have been reports of a meeting convened by Zanu-PF where a plot belonging to a demoted acting headman was listed for repossession.

MP Kwidini has faced controversy, with suspicions that he contested for the legislative seat while still employed as a nurse at Gweru General Hospital. It remains unclear whether he resigned from his civil service position in accordance with government labor policies that require civil servants to resign before entering active politics.

Attempts to reach the legislator for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publishing as he did not answer phone calls or respond to WhatsApp messages.