Munyaradzi Mutandavari
…. ‘despite Zanu PF intimidation’
Exsto Makunzva
ZVISHAVANE – The Morgan Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) is confident of an overwhelming win in the Midlands despite what the opposition party’s leadership in the province allege to be widespread intimidation of voters by the ruling Zanu PF party.
MDC-T Midlands south spokesperson, Munyaradzi Mutandavari accused Zanu PF of engaging its usual gears of intimidation.
“Zanu PF is aware that people desperately need change as evidenced by the high voter registration turnout in the districts. They have responded with intimidation because they are afraid of the people but we will not be held back. How come meetings that are called by village heads and other traditional leaders are turned into Zanu PF meetings,” said Mutandavari.
He also said Zvishavane had 30 000 registered voters, a figure which he claimed showed that people were taking the upcoming elections seriously.
MDC-T secretary for elections Dr Takavafira Zhou corroborated the incidents of intimidation of people by Zanu PF in Mberengwa.
He said in Mberengwa North, three village heads; Danisa, Ndavambi and Mugwisiwa, recently summoned all registered voters to bring their registration slips for recording of serial numbers and for use for food distribution.
“Traditional leaders and Zanu PF officials invite the people supposedly for food aid and inputs distribution but only to demand that the people must submit serial numbers of their registration slips.
“They are then threatened against voting for the opposition, using the serial numbers as a scare tactic,” said Dr Zhou, adding that incidents of that kind happened recently in Dhanga and Danisa village near Mt Mberengwa business centre under Chief Mapiravana.
Dr Zhou said Jubheki Machova, popularly known as (baba vaEdias), called for a meeting where village heads Danisa, Ndavambi and Mugwisa were ordered to summon all people with 18 years of age and above.
The three village heads allegedly demanded that all registered voters surrender their registration slips.
The same is said to have happened in Shurugwi South.politics
