Police block Zanu-PF-linked sports gala in Harare South

Police on Saturday blocked a scheduled Africa Day sports gala in Harare South, organised by ZimSport for Economic Development, as internal tensions within Zanu-PF reportedly spilled into public political activity.

Law enforcement officers sealed off the Ushewokunze venue as early as 8am, shortly after Harare provincial commissar Voyage Dambuza issued a statement prohibiting any activities by party-affiliated organisations without official clearance.

According to Zanu-PF insiders, the directive was aimed at blocking the gala, which was linked to former Harare South legislator Shadreck Mashayamombe, whose growing influence in the constituency has reportedly unsettled rival factional interests within the party.

Sources within the ruling party claim that Harare provincial chairman Godwills Masimirembwa and his deputy Ephraim Fundukwa are opposed to Mashayamombe's rising popularity, fearing it could position him as a strong contender for internal leadership structures and elective posts.

Fundukwa is also said to be wary of Mashayamombe's political momentum in Churu constituency, where he has declared ambitions to contest.

"It's all about Mashayamombe; if he was not involved in this sports gala, it would have been cleared," a Zanu-PF central committee member said.

Videos circulating on social media showed groups of youths who had gathered for the event protesting outside the sealed venue. The gala was expected to attract an estimated 10 000 youths from across Harare South and surrounding areas.

Zanu-PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha was listed as the guest of honour, while senior party officials, including spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe, were expected to attend.

The event, which was being positioned as a large-scale youth sports development initiative, was designed to feature over 80 football teams, alongside netball and volleyball competitions. Organisers had also included indoor games such as chess, snooker and darts, with winners expected to receive prizes aimed at promoting grassroots sports development.

According to organisers, the initiative sought to promote sport in peri-urban communities while creating economic opportunities through youth participation.

Mashayamombe, who reportedly assisted in securing the venue and supporting construction of the facility, said the grounds would remain open to local schools and community members free of charge as part of efforts to steer young people away from drug abuse.

The cancellation highlights growing factional sensitivities within Zanu-PF structures in Harare, where community-based programmes are increasingly being drawn into internal political contestations.