MDC-T Organising Secretary for Epworth Ward 4, Samson Ketuno said several residents from Chinyengere and Chinamano areas had been dispossessed of their gardens as punishment for supporting MDC-T.
Zanu (PF) activists, led by one Brian Mhandu were claiming that “all land in Epworth belongs to their party, he said, adding that some of the youths were now selling the stands for between $300 and $400.
“Zanu (PF) is also using this as a way of rewarding their supporters who have since started constructing at the sites,” Ketuna said. The local MDC-T councillor, Didymus Bande, confirmed the incident.
“Last week, there were clashes over this issue as some of the victims were resisting eviction,” he said. “Many residents are now stranded as the gardens were the source of livelihood for most unemployed people who grew vegetables for sale in the area and at Mbare Musika.”
Epworth has been rocked by numerous cases of politically motivated violence and victimisation of MDC-T supporters recently. “For the last five months or so, there has been a surge in cases of political violence and victimizations here. Zanu (PF) youths have set up torture bases in all the seven wards of Epworth where targeted MDC-T activists are being tortured, especially in ward seven,” said Ketuno.
Ward seven is the only area in Epworth under the control of a Zanu (PF) councillor, Joanna Mawire, who is reported to be behind most of the cases of political violence in the area.
In June, the MDC-T reported that about 500 of its supporters were evicted from their homes by Zanu (PF) activists, who include Brian Mhandu, Tawanda Mutizwa, and one Kadumba among others.
Police spokesperson for Harare Province, Inspector Tedious Chibande confirmed having received reports of the clashes over the gardens but said the issue was not politically motivated.
“I think someone is just trying to play political cards because there is absolutely nothing political about that case,” said Chibande.
Post published in: News