March 13, 2013
Resettled villagers in the Chitora area of Ward 1 in Shurugwi North are set to lose their farmland and livelihoods over their political affiliation. The area is home to hundreds of people given the relatively fertile farmland by the government. However, according to sources, MDC members have been threatened with eviction by their rivals in Zanu (PF).
MDC-T Vice Organising Secretary for Shurugwi North, Hardy Ngazimbi, told The Zimbabwean that party members were threatened by Zanu (PF) youths that they would lose their farmland if they held party meetings in Ward 1. “My office received reports that Zanu (PF) youths in the company of Headman Fanuel Kubvoruno warned MDC-T members against holding political rallies in the area as it was their territory,” said Ngazimbi. He said they had taken up the issue with JOMIC for redress and were awaiting feedback. Ngazimbi said MDC-T members Edson Manyowa and Causemore Machazani were ordered to appear before acting chief Nhema early this week for a disciplinary hearing in connection with their MDC-T politics.
Machazani confirmed the disciplinary hearing and threats to be evicted from the land for being MDC. Nhema, however, denied knowledge of the hearing. “As a chief there is no way I can punish my subjects for exercising their freedom of choice, association and expression,” he said.
Nhema said political parties should be allowed hold rallies without interference from anyone. The acting chief is brother to Francis Nhema, a senior Zanu (PF) official and sitting MP for Shurugwi.
Source: The Zimbabwean
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