By Arthur Chigoriwo
CHINHOYI — Zanu PF is set to allocate residential stands for its party supporters on Saturday while former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s party, Zimbabwe People First, will be holding a rally at Gadzema Grounds, Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province.
Zanu PF is also planning to hold a rally on the same day near Gadzema Grounds. Zimbabwe People First supporters say this is a recipe for political violence.
Zimbabwe People First or ZimPF provincial chairperson, Marian Chombo, told Studio 7 that the allocation of stands to poor Zanu PF youth and the holding of a rally on the same day and near the venue of Joice Mujuru’s party rally won’t stop them from campaigning in Mashonaland West province.
She said Zanu PF’s proposals to hold their rally only 200 meters away from the Zimbabwe People First rally on Saturday may result in clashes between the two parties.
Mrs. Chombo said it is surprising that Zanu PF wants to allocate stands to local youth, who won’t be able to build houses due to lack of funds.
Mrs. Chombo, who was once married to Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo, accused her former husband of allegedly grabbing land in most urban areas in the same manner his party is now doing in Chinhoyi, Harare and other cities.
Mr. Chombo was not reachable for comment.
ZimPF Chinhoyi youth leader Prosper Gavanga, a former Zanu PF member, said it is clear that Chombo and Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere want to hoodwink the youth like what they did in 2013 general elections when he was the campaign manager of Zanu PF Chinhoyi losing candidate, Phillip Chiyangwa.
Gavanga said they were promised stands but all that has not yet been fulfilled by the ruling party.
Chiyangwa confirmed that they promised youth stands but they have not been delivered because Chinhoyi Council has not serviced them.
Zanu PF Chinhoyi youth leader, Tapiwa Chitate, said they are going ahead with their plans of giving youth residential stands at a farm in Chinhoyi and holding a rally on Saturday.
But Chinhoyi mayor, Test Michaels, professed ignorance over the stands saying he heard that it was discussed at the weekend during a Zanu PF meeting.
Political analysts say Zanu PF’s move is designed to disturb its opponents at a time the ruling party is failing to explain some of its proposed policies to revive the economy outlined in the run up to the 2013 general elections. VOA Zimbabwe.com
