Traditional leaders in the area, who were mentioned in a leaked document as being part of the exercise, also denied any links with the operation and refused to participate. A document leaked to The Zimbabwean last week by one of the chiefs included their names – but it has emerged that this was done without consulting them.
Chief Chivese, speaking on behalf of the other chiefs, said: “No. We were never involved in any programme like that and I did not even know that our names were mentioned in the document you are talking about. We have never organised or participated in any activity of that nature during the period that you are talking about.”
The document showed the leader of the team as Brigadier General E Choga, while chiefs Mutekedza, Neshangwe, Chivese and Musarurwa were mentioned as leading the pack of traditional leaders involved in the mobilisation process.
A source privy to the goings on revealed that members of the army and war veterans, who were mentioned in the leaked document, were moving around with Zanu (PF) members urging villagers to vote for the party in the next elections.
Members of the armed forces named included Lieutenant Colonel J. Magwere, Retired Major Rusero, Retired Major General Mukorera and Retired Major Chakacha.
“The meetings were a huge flop and were characterised by a very low turnout. In Ward 9 in Chivhu only nine people attended the meeting. The only areas where large numbers attended were resettlement areas where farm beneficiaries attended for fear of losing their land,” said the source.
The low turnout has resulted in increased intimidation, with party supporters moving around villages and warning people of the consequences of shunning the party’s activities.
Post published in: News