Party thugs are going around villages with begging bowls and threatening defenceless villagers here with violence should they fail to part with US$1 per household or donate food items. Thugs charged with the responsibility of mobilising resources for the function were demanding donations from the poor despite the fact that donated cash and other items would be misappropriated. Villagers also remained too poor to bank roll the celebrations which have only benefitted party thugs and fat cats at the top table, said Mbuya Marova of Mupazviriho.
Villagers acknowledged that commemorating important occasions like Independence and Heroes Holidays was important, but that they did not approve of Zanu (PF) turning national events into party functions.
If the celebrations were conducted in a non-partisan manner we would not have any problems donating in cash or kind towards such historic events. Unfortunately, Zanu (PF) seizes such opportunities to denounce its rivals and the international community, complained a villager on condition of anonymity.
Other villagers said commemorating Independence Day while true and gallant fighters for democracy such as Munyaradzi Gwisai (International Socialist Organisation), Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T Member of Parliament), Elton Mangoma (MDC-T Member of Parliament), Job Sikhala (MDC99 President) and hundreds of other activists were in custody or facing trumped up treason charges would make a mockery of the otherwise worthy national function.
Post published in: News