Opinion / Columnist
Zanu-PF must stop abusing traditional leaders
22 Mar 2022 at 01:49hrs | Views
WITH a few days to go before the by-elections, Heal Zimbabwe has witnessed an increase in cases of human rights violations.
The traditional leadership institution continues to be at the centre of abuse by the ruling party elite ahead of the by-elections.
In Chivi South, for example, several village heads have been directed to join the Zanu-PF campaign team led by ward 24 councillor, Christopher Muzvidziwa.
Following this development, village heads are convening regular meetings, where community members are being threatened against voting for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party.
This comes after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission conducted a meeting at Ngundu Secondary School, where it implored political parties to stop abusing village heads during their campaigns since they are mandated by the Constitution to be apolitical.
A similar incident was recorded in Binga North, where the newly-appointed district development co-ordinator Leander Kapone directed all village heads during a meeting at Siyabuza business centre to campaign for the Zanu-PF candidate.
Similar threats to village heads were also made by the Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, on March 10, 2022 at Siyabuzuba business centre.
In other areas, Heal Zimbabwe has also observed that village heads are being forced to convene meetings to mobilise supporters for Zanu-PF candidates.
This practice, however, violates section 281 of the Constitution that stipulates that traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or further the interests of any political party.
The traditional leadership institution continues to be at the centre of abuse by the ruling party elite ahead of the by-elections.
In Chivi South, for example, several village heads have been directed to join the Zanu-PF campaign team led by ward 24 councillor, Christopher Muzvidziwa.
Following this development, village heads are convening regular meetings, where community members are being threatened against voting for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change party.
This comes after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission conducted a meeting at Ngundu Secondary School, where it implored political parties to stop abusing village heads during their campaigns since they are mandated by the Constitution to be apolitical.
A similar incident was recorded in Binga North, where the newly-appointed district development co-ordinator Leander Kapone directed all village heads during a meeting at Siyabuza business centre to campaign for the Zanu-PF candidate.
Similar threats to village heads were also made by the Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, on March 10, 2022 at Siyabuzuba business centre.
In other areas, Heal Zimbabwe has also observed that village heads are being forced to convene meetings to mobilise supporters for Zanu-PF candidates.
This practice, however, violates section 281 of the Constitution that stipulates that traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or further the interests of any political party.
Source - NewsDay Zimbabwe
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