Party members who include Elliot Masarirambi, the headmaster at St Paul Musamhi primary school, are alleged to be forcing teachers to buy the membership cards for $2 when they should be sold for half that.
“We are being threatened with death if we do not sign the petition and those who will be found without the cars are going to be expelled,” said a member of staff at the school.
Leading the whirlwind of terror against perceived MDC supporters and villagers who are perceived to be apolitical is Zanu (PF)’s 55-year-old youth officer Nicholas Chakavarika who is working with Innocent Mandere, Elliot Musarirambi , John Jani, Israel Mariki; brothers Felix and John Chimhuka, Gibson Pasirai and Peter Jonasi.
“Even though we have the names of the people who are abusing us there is nothing that we can do because they appear to be above the law,” said a concerned villager.
The gang has established a base at Nyamutumbu Shopping centre and is forcing flea market traders to pay monthly rates to the party rather than the council.
“We are being forced to pay $10 a month when the council says we should pay $4. The presence of a base makes it difficult for us to resist paying the money because we all know what happens at the bases,” said a vendor.
While the “anti-sanctions” mantra has lost steam in urban areas it is still underway in the rural areas, especially those with MDC Members of Parliament.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News