Makoni South constituency is held by the MDC party and its legislator is Pishai Muchauraya.
Chief Rukweza is known to be closely linked with Zanu (PF) and has since last week been moving around the district allegedly forcing people to buy Zanu (PF) cards for $2 each.
As far as we know, since their indoctrination session with the army in Mutare two weeks ago, chiefs, headman and village heads have been forcing people to buy ZANU PF cards. They are forcing anyone whether one is MDC or Zanu (PF), people are being forced to buy the cards, Muchauraya said.
He added: Zanu (PF) is going to hold a conference in Mutare in December and during their deliberations at the army barracks they were specifically told to go and fund raise for the party.
In essence this is exactly what they are doing. But we deplore such actions, this is primitive for a party that boasts of millions of supporters but forces people to subscribe to its activities.
The MP said a team selling cards was in his constituency last week, moving door to door forcing villagers to part with $2. But the team found it hard to sell the cards as the constituency is predominately MDC. ?
Word got back to Chief Rukweza that some MDC supporters were being defiant and refusing to buy the cards. This reportedly angered the chief who, in a fit of rage, sent his hired goons to deal with the situation.
Some of those who directly participated in the beatings have been identifed as headman Ephraim Muza, Tyrus Mtanda, Nomard Mataranyika and Enesiya Mteke – all Zanu (PF) loyalists.
Its unfortunate that they went for the top leadership in the constituency. Chiwara and 15 others members were rounded up and beaten with logs and sticks. They were told the beatings were a lesson for defying Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF), according to the MP.
Chiwara was singled out as the ring leader and she bore the brunt of the brutal attack. 15 others received minor injuries but Chiwara had to be ferried to a private clinic in Mutare where she is being treated, Muchauraya said.
Muchauraya said chiefs, headman and village heads were now running Zanu (PF) errands in the province as the party prepares to battle the MDC in an anticipated election in 2011.
This shows you how fractured Zanu (PF) is in the rural areas. Chiefs, headman and village heads are now the foot soldiers for the party. This gives you an idea of how far the party will go to try and reclaim power at all costs even if its structures are in serious decline, he said.
The involvement of traditional leaders in Zanu (PF) politics has been a practice that started way back in 1980 after independence. Although over the years some of the chiefs have been begun shifting their support from Zanu (PF) to the MDC.
Post published in: Politics