Own Correspondent
The graffiti on ZANU PF Gwanda offices Residents of Gwanda have thrown blame on soldiers enforcing lockdown measures for graffiti splashed on ZANU PF offices and streets around the town.
Unknown persons in Gwanda took advantage of the Coronavirus lockdown which sees no-one move around the streets at night to paint graffiti around Gwanda town denouncing the ruling ZANU PF and calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Residents of the mining town on Monday woke up to find streets, private perimeter walls and even the ruling party offices inscribed with messages denouncing Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF and Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube.
In social media discussions, the residents claim that the high level of lockdown enforcement especially at night by the soldiers would not have allowed an ordinary citizen to execute the risky act.
“It can’t be anyone else but the soldiers, they are the only ones moving around town at night, ” said one resident.
However, sources within ZANU PF said they suspected rival opposition MDC Alliance supporters for the graffiti.
“You can see the timing of the graffiti is meant to divert attention from the business of the day. However, we would like to warn the opposition that we would not be distracted by their antics but remain with the people and help them with the fight against COVID-19 as well as improving their livelihoods,” he said.
MDC Alliance officers at the opposition party offices in the town rubbished the sentiments from ZANU PF saying it could have been disappointed ZANU PF supporters or just hungry and angry citizens.
The Zanu-PF source dispelled claims that the work could have been triggered by factional fights in the ruling party
“That is pure imagination and day-dreaming. There are no factions in Zanu-PF. Everyone rallies behind our leadership led by President Mnangagwa who is also our 2023 presidential election candidate. Those who wish the party to have factions may they go hang,” the source added.