Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa addresses crowd during the star rally at Gwindingwi Primary School at Nyika growth point.
TellZim Reporter
There is an outcry in Bikita West constituency following Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa’s call for violence in the ongoing by-election campaign.
Mahofa shocked thousands of Zanu PF supporters in Bikita at a star rally attended by Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa at Nyika Growth Point recently when she reminded people about the violence which was experienced in the constituency during previous elections.
Mahofa bluntly, and without shame, used vulgar language to warn opposition supporters that they would face dire consequences for not voting for Zanu PF. She also appeared to be bragging about the political violence which her party perpetrated in Bikita during the turn of the millennium as well as at the run-up to the June 27, 2008 presidential run-off.
“Musatamba nemadhoti pasina mvura (don‘t play with feaces where there will be no water to wash yourself). You all know what happened here in Bikita – people died and we do not want a repeat of that so make sure you vote wisely,“ said Mahofa.
The people in Bikita told this publication yesterday that they did not expect such language from Mahofa.
“We were all stunned to see an old lady like Mahofa who should be preaching peace, promoting violence. We are afraid that we can be beaten after elections so we are not wearing political regalia here. We are really frightened because Zanu PF used to beat us in this constituency,” said a villager who promised to vote for an independent candidate.
ZimPF candidate Kudakwashe Gopo said he has since urged his supporters to prepare for ‘the worst.’
“I was in Zanu PF and I know what they mean when they say lets beat people. I am however, not afraid of them …I have since urged my supporters to brace for the worst case scenario but I want to tell you that we will not run away,” said Gopo.
An independent candidate who is former MP for the area, Heya Shoko, said he has resorted to door-to-door campaigning to avoid gathering many people at one place as that might lead to violence.
“I don’t want to expose my supporters. I used to stay in mountains because of Zanu PF violence here so I really know their language. After Mahofa’s utterances, I immediately stopped rallies and I also urged my supporters to attend Zanu PF meetings so that they would not be victimised,” said Shoko.news
