“Zanu (PF) called for a meeting at Nhedziwa business centre last week and asked rural business traders to contribute $5 each towards independence celebrations. Newly resettled farmers were also asked to donate something. The officials threatened unspecified action if we fail to donate something,” said a villager who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
During the meeting, the villagers were also ordered to attend celebrations to be held at Ngangu stadium.
The Zanu (PF) youths led by Kumbirai Mushango, the Zanu (PF) ward chairperson for Mutsamvu area have also been going around demanding money from Sawmill owners in the area, threatening to take over the mills if they fail to donate money towards the celebrations, which have been highly politicised by Zanu (PF) over the years.