Not only have army officers been instructed to vote for Robert Mugabe in the
runoff election, they are also being used to intimidate the electorate at
huge gatherings that they call “re-education” rallies. Each army violence
unit has been assigned a group of over 30 youth militia, who are now
reported to be uniformed and are being paid for their brutal deeds. But
voters around the country say no amount of violence or intimidation will
ever make them vote for ZANU-PF.
Farmer and activist Gerry Whitehead has been monitoring incidents in the
Chiredzi and Zaka areas. He reported that army officers are gathering huge
groups of farm workers in order to conduct these ‘re-education’ rallies. At
the gatherings a few chosen individuals known to be opposition supporters or
officials, are beaten severely in front of the locals as an example of what
could happen to them.
Whitehead said a 31-year old opposition activist in Zaka was recently beaten
so badly that he had many broken bones and had to be hospitalised. Others
that were beaten at the same rally are living with serious injuries because
they cannot afford to pay for transportation or medical treatment.
The outspoken activist also described how there has been no production in
the sugar-growing lowveld area. Most of the farm workers are unemployed and
have relocated to the nearest towns, or even further. The shops are empty
and hunger is widespread.
Whitehead confirmed that thee rallies are not producing the desired effect
the ruling party would like and he says the violence is definitely turning
people even further away from supporting the ruling party. He said: “I think
ZANU-PF has made a serious error. The people are more determined now. You
can take our cattle. You can burn our houses, but you can’t take our hearts.
We will not vote for you, ever. That is the message I’m getting.”
SWRadio Africa
Post published in: News