Villagers ordered to buy party cards

via Villagers ordered to buy party cards 9 October 2014 by Sofia Mapuranga

Mutoko villagers who belong to the MDC have been ordered to surrender all their party cards and regalia if they want to benefit from the government farming inputs scheme.

At a recent meeting in Chiwore ward, Alec Bota, Zanu (PF) provincial chairman for the area told villagers to dump opposition parties and buy Zanu (PF) cards to boost the coffers ahead of congress.

Givemore Dahwa said he was personally told that failure to buy the Zanu (PF) card would have “ripple effects”.

“Over the years, the traditional leaders have distributed the only inputs to Zanu (PF) members -this is nothing new,” said Dahwa, adding that he would rather save his money to buy inputs for the next farming season.

Ward 16 villagers said their village heads, Agrippa Mukiwa, Douglas Chihodzi, Tiki Kapaso and Paul Ganye, told them the same thing. But because they were struggling to make ends meet, it was very difficult to give money towards the congress.

Mutoko South MP David Chapfika said he was not aware of the development. “A card is a dollar and no one is forced to buy it,” he said.