Held at Pembe Chase farm, the tournament was supposed to bring together youths from various parties. But Zanu (PF) youths were warned against attending the event by one Chishaka, a retired soldier, who allegedly said the occasion was an MDC-T programme.
The youths later came to the venue of the sports event and threatened participants to vacate saying they were “the owners” of the area.
“You cannot just come here to play without informing us. We do not have anything to do with your peace campaigns and the fact that you are trying to defy our orders means that you are pushing an MDC agenda.
“You should know that this area is under Zanu (PF) control and if the top officials here tell you to stop you should do so,” said a party member identified as Nhepera. Chishaka warned youths at the sports event against holding events without his party’s approval.
“I have seen a lot of people here who support the MDC-T and that is why I am saying you should leave this place. Our supporters cannot be seen mixing with those from the MDC-T because we have different political ideologies,” said Chishaka.
After participants at the sports tournament defied the directive to leave, police officers were called in to enforce the order from the Zanu (PF) youths. The police officers told the youths that it was “dangerous” for them to defy orders from Zanu (PF) officials and ordered the participants to leave.
The action of the Zanu (PF) activists is in direct contrast to calls by the party’s leader, President Robert Mugabe, for his supporters to shun violence and embrace tolerance during elections.
YAT Coordinator, Fortune Nyamande, bemoaned the levels of political intolerance that had resulted from manipulation of youths.
“Such developments work against efforts aimed at ensuring violence free elections. The youths are mostly at the centre of political violence and it is grossly irresponsible for party officials to block events aimed at encouraging peace and tolerance among the youths,” he said.
Youths at the event said they were committed to peace during the next elections but expressed reservations at the levels of political intolerance being shown by Zanu (PF) members.
Patrice Dandajena (29), said: “I think it is important that we live in peace. As youths we should be able to realise that we face the same problems and there is no need for us to fight. Instead, we should be united in our cause even though we might have different political affiliations.”
January Simon, blamed Zanu (PF) youths and officials for using intimidation tactics that have created a tense environment in the area ahead of elections.
“The situation is tense and people are being warned by Zanu (PF) against attending any event that is not organised by that party. That is why you see that today, the Zanu (PF) youths failed to be here after they were warned against attending,” he said.
Post published in: News