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Numerous Zanu PF members defect to ZimPF in Mashonaland West
31 Mar 2016 at 06:20hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Peace Project has reported that there is increasing tension in Mashonaland West over the rise of the ZimPF led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru.
Reports from the province note a considerable amount of defections from Zanu-PF to ZimPF and these have been followed by threats and harassment of defectors.
"Clashes were reported in the province between supporters of Zanu-PF and ZimPF with the latter's supporters being harassed in Mhondoro and Kadoma. The operating space for civil society organisations has also shrunk with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) experiencing challenges after their meetings in Sanyati. The tense political environment has resulted in increased paranoia with Australian visitors being harassed in Chegutu and a pastor being summoned in Pfupajena over a prophecy he made during a church service," ZPP reported.
"The current situation in Hurungwe West constituency is similar to the one experienced during the June elections. To drum up its support Zanu-PF is allegedly allocating residential stands to party youths in preparation for 2018 general election. The youths are said to be paying US$5 to be on the waiting list kept at Hurungwe Rural District Council (HRDC)."
ZPP said at a meeting held on 2 February 2016 at Mashuma Business Centre, Zanu-PF youth chairperson, Patrick Karimatsenga, said the party had realised that youths were left out in a lot of projects so they had decided to allocate housing stands for them in Karoi.
"The names were to be handed over to Ward 17 Councillor, Matthew Runi. It was reported that Karimatsenga told the youths that they were preparing to meet the Minister of Youth Development to come up with more projects for youths. All Zanu-PF youths were told to submit their names to their village heads," ZPP said.
"It is alleged that opposition youths are being discriminated against in these projects. The launch, a few months ago, of another organization led by former Member of Parliament for Hurungwe West, Temba Mliswa, known as Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy(YARD) has also added to the conflict-ladden climate in the area."
Reports from the province note a considerable amount of defections from Zanu-PF to ZimPF and these have been followed by threats and harassment of defectors.
"Clashes were reported in the province between supporters of Zanu-PF and ZimPF with the latter's supporters being harassed in Mhondoro and Kadoma. The operating space for civil society organisations has also shrunk with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) experiencing challenges after their meetings in Sanyati. The tense political environment has resulted in increased paranoia with Australian visitors being harassed in Chegutu and a pastor being summoned in Pfupajena over a prophecy he made during a church service," ZPP reported.
ZPP said at a meeting held on 2 February 2016 at Mashuma Business Centre, Zanu-PF youth chairperson, Patrick Karimatsenga, said the party had realised that youths were left out in a lot of projects so they had decided to allocate housing stands for them in Karoi.
"The names were to be handed over to Ward 17 Councillor, Matthew Runi. It was reported that Karimatsenga told the youths that they were preparing to meet the Minister of Youth Development to come up with more projects for youths. All Zanu-PF youths were told to submit their names to their village heads," ZPP said.
"It is alleged that opposition youths are being discriminated against in these projects. The launch, a few months ago, of another organization led by former Member of Parliament for Hurungwe West, Temba Mliswa, known as Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy(YARD) has also added to the conflict-ladden climate in the area."
Source - Byo24News
