Harare residents said they were being forced to register their names and identification document numbers at Zanu (PF) “command centres” – residential houses belonging to party stalwarts.
Shorai Toendepi from Ward 16, Unit J, Seke said women and youths clad in Zanu (PF) regalia conducted door-to-door campaigns and forced residents to assemble at the “command centre” before going to register as voters.
“They move in groups of three to six, shaking our gates and disturbing our peace. When my neighbour did not respond, they shouted that they had taken down the house number and the ‘youths’ would deal with them because they did not want to co- operate,” said Toendepi.
Mildred Shumirai, a resident of Kambuzuma 3 in Harare said: “I was told to submit details of my identification documents so that I will be given their party card.”
She said she was told that the details were wanted at the provincial level as a means of establishing how many people were going to vote for the party.
“Submitting my details meant that I became a member of the party. I was told that a lot of goodies were going to be given to the party’s supporters ahead of the elections,” she said.
Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, said he was not aware of these developments. “The party’s provincial leadership is better positioned to comment on that issue,” said Gumbo.
Post published in: News