Hundreds stranded after “million-man” march
By Henry Makiwa
3 December 2007

Hundreds of people who were bused into Harare for Robert Mugabe’s “Million man march” on Friday, were left stranded all weekend as Zanu PF failed to get them transport back to their homes.
Living up to it’s reputation, the ruling party shipped in thousands of people to Harare on the promise that they would be swiftly returned home after Mugabe’s rally. Our sources however say that no return transport was provided and many were left stranded.

Observers say every bus terminus and the train station in the capital were chaotic all weekend. Many reportedly used their own funds to return home, while hundreds were forced to sleep in the open.
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa, reported that people complained of hunger and exhaustion. Many had only been given a loaf of bread for taking part in the march.

He said that Mugabe in his customary manner had abandoned those who were his supporters. In addition there were many people who were forced out of their homes and violently beaten if they refused to join the march. Many were bused in from as far as Hwange, Mhangura, Bulawayo and Chipinge on buses and trains hired by Zanu PF, using tax-payers money.

Analysts say Mugabe staged the march as part of a propaganda onslaught to try to portray him as having grass roots support. They say Mugabe manipulated his bused-in rural supporters, to counter growing internal opposition to his rule ahead of the extra-ordinary Zanu PF congress later this month.
Zanu PF reportedly spent a fortune, with some estimates running into trillions of dollars, for the one-day political campaign exercise. Economists say the closure of shops and industry had a serious impact on the economy.