MARONDERA The politics of Mashonaland East have been dominated by the bravery of MDC District Chairlady, Mabel Tenfara. Initiating the battle for the demise of Zanu (PF) in her area was not an enviable task. But together with her husband Diamond Tenfara, Ian Kay, Portifa Bakayimana, Chengetai Murova, Veronica Muchabayiwa, Sikhalisiwe Nkomo and a few others, they tackleIt was at bush meetings that Mabel showed her outstanding bravery and leadership qualities. She spent sleepless nights knocking peoples doors to spread teaching on the MDC ideology. Because of her organizational skills, MDC membership grew in the area while cracks started developing in the Zanu (PF) empire. Mabel always reminded us that victory and democracy would prevail, but at a high cost, said Chengetai Murova, district chairman.
An enemy of Zanu (PF)
Tenfaras ability to establish party structures from ward to district level made her an enemy of Zanu (PF) and state security agents. Even the late vice president, Simon Muzenda, once put a price on her head.
After joining the MDC in 1999, Mabel was elected ward 2 chairlady and rose to district chairlady in 2001. At the time, party meetings were conducted in bush caves. In a desperate bid to destroy Tenfaras fighting spirit, Zanu (PF) militia abducted her husband soon after the 2000 general elections and brutally assaulted him. In 2003 she was voted district organizing secretary. Her organizing skills were utilized at all party levels. The following year she reverted to district chairperson roles and the CIO started abducting and torturing her.
On May 26, 2008 in the evening, 15 armed men invaded my home before abducting me to Summerset farm. I was stripped naked, savagely assaulted and left for dead in the bush. I only gained cautiousness the following day. With no clothes to wear, I covered my body with shrubs before seeking assistance from a passer by. I was admitted to Avenues Clinic for three months for internal bleeding, said Tenfara. On June 24 last year, a truck load of Zanu youths besieged Tenfaras house in Dombotombo. The family managed to scale a security fence and escaped the siege.
Restructuring at grassroots
Last month, she was again voted district chairlady and has since started restructuring the party at grassroots level. The restructuring exercise is aimed at filling up vacant posts left by activists who either relocated elsewhere or were elevated up the party hierarchy. As district chairlady, my main task is to teach women about the political ideology of MDC-T and unite party supporters in the face of Zanu (PF)s divide and rule tactics. The struggle for democracy continues until Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai becomes president of Zimbabwe. Victory is certain what ever the cost, she added.
Post published in: News