ZANU PF arming its militia in Nyanga North

The MDC-T spokesman for Manicaland, Pishai Muchauraya, told SW Radio Africa that the militia and war vets were behind the recent violence that saw hundreds of villagers from Nyakomba in Nyanga North fleeing and crossing the border into Mozambique. He says they are now facing serious food shortages there.

The MDC-T once held only two seats in the whole of Manicaland but in the 2008 election they produced a stunning victory over ZANU PF, winning 20 of the 26 constituency seats. The MDC believes ZANU PF is trying to reclaim them using every dirty trick in book.

I personally went to the area they fled to and many of them complained of being hungry and some need medicines for malaria. We therefore urgently appeal to our friends and international donors to help us with food and medicines, Muchauraya said.

He said the villagers are reluctant to return because tension is still high in Nyanga North as ZANU PF supporters continue to carry out patrols and stamp out dissent.

If there is anyone in doubt let them go to Ruwangwe growth point and see what is happening there. There are groups of militia who are moving around with arms of war and parading an assortment of other weapons, scenes that you see in a military zone when there is conflict.

We have also seen similar things in Nyamaropa, Avila, Sabvure and Nyakomba all in the Nyanga district. This is not a good sign of democracy and we appeal to the authorities to disarm these civilians because Zimbabwe is not at war with anyone, Muchauraya said.

There are a number of army bases in the district and its believed most of the weapons are being supplied from these camps. ZANU PFs aspiring parliamentary candidate for the area, Hubert Nyanhongo, a central committee member and current party MP for Harare South, is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the army.

It appears hes using his influence as a ZANU PF MP and former soldier to instruct the army to supply weapons to his thugs. Nyanhongo has also been named as the culprit in supplying trucks full of ZANU PF youths to criss-cross the district and cause mayhem.