Francis Moyo
…rivals trade insults as fight for Chiredzi West gets dirtier
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Intra-party tempers flared last week after Chiredzi Town Council chairperson Francis Moyo, who is vying for the Chiredzi West parliamentary seat on a Zanu PF ticket, was attacked at Batanai business centre in Section 28, Triangle.
Late last year, Darlington Chiwa, the sitting MP who is working to retain the seat in the up-coming elections, had his own meeting disrupted at the same venue by what are suspected to be the same thugs.
They used stones to attack Moyo’s vehicle, a Toyota Vigo registration number ACO 5921.
Speaking to TellZim News, Moyo’s trusted lieutenant in Section 28, Zimwenje Zimwenje said they were suddenly attacked by what he alleged were Musikavanhu’s thugs as they drove by the business centre.
“There were men who were drinking at Batanai and as we tried to overtake a Fun Cargo that was ahead of us, they ran towards the road and waved us down.
“I instructed the driver not to stop because I had noticed they were Musikavanhu’s allies. They began to throw stones at us and the case was reported to the police but I failed to get the case number,” said Zimwenje.
On his part, Chiwa indicated he was aware that dirty tricks were being employed in the cam-paign. He however said he was unstoppable as he had obtained a court order against those who seek to disrupt his activities.
“I am now in possession of a court order which bars anyone from disrupting my meetings. Last time I was disrupted by the same people at Batanai where I was addressing a meeting,” said Chiwa.
When Musikavanhu was contacted for comment, he distanced himself from the attack and blasted Moyo for constructing graves in Section 28.
“What was he doing there? Do I live there? I’m not murondatsimba who follows somebody’s footsteps like what he does. That’s what the police are being paid for, he should report it.
“For that matter, I’m not aware of the place in question. Ivo ndovangatotiudzeka vari mu-business rekuvaka makuva, we read about him on Bulawayo24 on murder issues ngaazive zvaari kuita,” said Musikavanhu.
He was referring to a damning article that recently appeared on the news website alleging that Moyo was involved in an unresolved murder case and many corruption cases.
At the height of the Land Reform Programme in 2002, Musikavanhu, who was then working for Tongaat Hulett, allegedly sent scouts to hunt down poachers and evict land invaders some of whom were reportedly thrown into Jiri Dam.
Moyo is said to be now taking advantage of the incident to besmirch Musikavanhu by build-ing graves for the departed land seekers and politicising the matter.
Section 28 has proved to the hunting ground for Zanu PF aspiring candidates in Chiredzi West, with both Chiwa and Musikavanhu having built two classroom blocks at Batanai Satel-lite Primary School.local