Hundreds of villagers from ward 18 in Chivi Central district have forwarded papers to the MDC provincial offices in Masvingo demanding compensation from Zanu PF stalwarts who committed a series of wide ranging crimes against them during last year’s widely criticised presidential election runoff.
The councillor for ward 18, Wilson Runopamwa said hundreds of villagers in his area experienced both physical and psychological pain after being subjected to barbaric acts from Zanu PF youths, war veterans and members of the Zimbabwe national army.
Notable among the complainants were Innocent Vurawa of Shangwa village who was severely beaten by Zanu PF youths and also lost three goats,Nicholas Mangozhe of Chafa village who was severely beaten, lost two goats and had his motor vehicle stoned, Claudius Mapaike who lost one cow and $US 15 and Kumbirai Ruvhairo of Mawoneke village whose goat was confiscated.
The ward councillor said villagers in his area have recently committed themselves to fight for justice and bring the perpetrators of violence to book.
Meanwhile, in a rare display of political maturity, a local headman, Headman Chipindu has called for unity and reconciliation among political parties operating in his area.
Headman Chipindu under Chief Chivi last week called on villagers to bury their political differences and focus on nation building.
The headman said there was need to show political maturity in the country since there was an inclusive government in place.
Headman Chipindu said he would discuss with kraal heads in his area on the need to respect the new political dispensation which encompasses the three main political parties.
“We want to enlighten the kraal heads on the need to respect the Global Political Agreement. We therefore want to do away with political violence because we have been attending workshops on national healing and reconciliation and we were encouraged to exercise our duties in a fair and objective way,” said Headman Chipindu.
He challenged fellow headmen to come in the open and discourage political violence in their respective areas.
The MDC councillor for ward 18 in Chivi Central, Wilson Runopamwa hailed the headman for the brave stance he took.
“We view the move by Headman Chipindu as noble. It is a reflection of political maturity and we urge all the kraal heads in our area to heed his call.”
