Terrence Mawawa, Gutu | A Gutu based village chief has imposed an immediate ban on Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) meetings in his area, threatening that a goat fine will be imposed on villagers who attend the opposition party’s meetings.
The threats were made by Acting Chief Makore Jestia Muzenda, a week after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed a rally at Man’a Business Centre ,ward 27 in Gutu South Constituency.
“You will not hold any meetings -including funerals ,memorials or weddings in the absence of my aides. If you hold any meeting without their knowledge then your kraal head will be fired. I am making it very clear that no one should attend MDC gatherings in my area,” said chief Muzenda.
Muzenda also summoned kraal heads under his jurisdiction to his homestead where he instructed them to surrender the names of known opposition party supporters.
He also ordered all kraal heads in the area to refuse to sanction MDC meetings, a constitutional responsibility of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, accusing Tsvangirai of holding the Man’a rally without notifying him.
Traditional leaders have in the past played a leading role in campaigning for Zanu PF and have at times resorted to the intimidation and harassment of opposition party supporters.
Muzenda also threatened that there would be dire consequences for all kraal heads who fail to show allegiance to Zanu PF which he said would include the relinquishing of their positions.
“You will not hold any meetings -including funerals ,memorials or weddings in the absence of my aides. If you hold any meeting without their knowledge then your kraal head will be fired. I am making it very clear that no one should attend MDC gatherings in my area,” he said.
“I do not tolerate sellouts in my area.Those who defy my directive will be dealt with accordingly.If you disregard my directive you will have to bring a goat to my traditional court,” he further threatened.
Villagers are now fearing for the worst -with the memories of the orgy of violence unleashed by Zanu PF in the previous elections still fresh in their minds.