After Receiving Cars From Mnangagwa Chiefs Force Villagers To Surrender Voter Registration Slips: Pressure Group

Source: After Receiving Cars From Mnangagwa Chiefs Force Villagers To Surrender Voter Registration Slips: Pressure Group | ZimEye

Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo | Buoyed by the motor vehicles they received from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, chiefs across Masvingo Province have literally assumed the duties of Zanu PF political commisars, forcing villagers to show allegiance to the ruling party.

Villagers in Masvingo Province have raised serious concerns at the high incidence of cases of intimidation.

For instance the collection of Biometric Voter Registration slips by Zanu PF Officials and traditional leaders is a cause for concern, a local pressure group has said.

Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) Community Voter Educators in Gutu, Zaka, and Chiredzi Districts have reported that registered are being intimidated by Zanu PF activists.

COTRAD Voter Educators in Gutu District have revealed that former Chief Serima, now the Gutu West ZANU PF chairman for ward 5, George Chivhande, ward 5 councillor,Martin Nhamoinesu and John Paradzai the Zanu PF aspiring Member of Parliament for Gutu West Constituency declared during a rice distribution meeting opposition supporters would not receive aid from the government.

COTRAD Voter Educators in Chiredzi have also said Hippo Valley Estate residents are being forced to surrender their voter registration slips to ruling party officials .

Cases of intimidation have also been reported in Zaka District.

“COTRAD will continue to discourage all forms of electoral irregularities.We will continue to report such cases to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission(ZEC). COTRAD will set up more peace clubs in Masvingo Province to monitor and observe the electoral processes,” said COTRAD in a statement.