Stop using us for violence: Zanu youths tell leaders

The party’s Secretary for Youths in Ward 8, Murehwa North, said youths from his party were sick and tired of political heavyweights who manipulate poverty-stricken youths, and encourage them to engage in acts of violence against supporters of other parties.

“We are now tired of being used to beat each other and engage in politically motivated violence,” said Tawanda Dzotizei. “They, (big chefs) come with $10 and crates of beer as incentives for us to beat those suspected to be members of other parties. What can you do if you do not even have a rand in your wallet yet the family needs to eat?”

He said politicians should refrain from preaching the gospel of peace at public forums while promoting and inciting violence at the local level.

“The top leadership expresses genuine pleas for peace but the provincial, district and ward level leaders are the front runners in preaching the gospel of violence – especially to youths,” said Dzotizei, adding that instead of donating “pathetic $10 handouts to youths come election time, party leaders should deliver on their youth empowerment promises.”

“We have tried all avenues to secure the so called youth fund, but experience has shown that it is untouchable. We have good project proposals, crafted by youth teams with the help of the party’s district leadership, but it seems that money is not meant for us because of the bottlenecks that exist when we try to access it,” he said.

He cited the example of a cattle fattening project, which had the potential to create employment for a lot of youths from his ward. “Instead of giving us little dossiers to beat each other, politicians especially our local MP, Dr David Parirenyatwa, whom we hardly see, except when it is towards election time, should assist us to kick-start such promising projects,” he said.

David Chidende, the programmes officer for Youth Information for Behaviour Change (YIEBC) said it was high time youths refused to be used as pawns by senior politicians. “Youths have since time immemorial been used as stone throwers and agents of politically motivated violence. It is commendable if they now realise that beating each other is not productive and contributes nothing to the development of their communities,” he said. “Such pleas are good steps towards true democracy.” He urged youths across the political divide to walk the talk because “the emancipation of youths rested in their hands.”