Villagers in Chimanimani to boycott ZANU-PF businesses ahead of council elections

By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 May 2006

Reacting to discrimination by ZANU-PF businesses that turn away customers suspected to be opposition sympathisers, villagers in Chimanimani are planning to boycott those same establishments ahead of the rural council elections due in August this year. MDC supporters in Chimanimani have been targeted in many ways by the ruling party. They need ZANU-PF cards to buy food from the Grain Marketing Board, and some have lost jobs and government benefits simply for their political allegiance. Chimanimani was also Roy Bennett’s constituency and as we reported Monday anyone linked to the former MP - now in South Africa - is being targeted by state agents. But the villagers have realised they too have some power. They hold the key to the success of businesses in the area owned by ZANU-PF officials and supporters.

Our Chimani contact Peter told us an MDC supporter was recently kicked out of a shop owned by Dadirai Matarutse, who is known to have political aspirations and is considering running for a council seat. The unsuspecting Chimani resident was wearing an MDC t-shirt when he was spotted entering the shop. Matarutse approached him and blatantly informed him she did not want such customers in her shop, even if he filled a trolley with groceries. The defiant opposition supporter is reported to have resisted until it was futile. This incident gave others the idea that businesses owned by ruling party stalwarts would make no money in the area since the majority of residents there support the MDC. As a result, opposition activists are urging them all to boycott ZANU-PF businesses.

Peter also told us about another MDC supporter who was taken off the list of ex-political detainees who receive monthly benefits. The man has not received his government allowances since February when he was accused of supporting the MDC. Traditional leaders in Chimanimani and around the country are also being pressured to deal with villagers who support the opposition. Many are reported to be obliging the government because they receive monthly salaries and were given free vehicles. Some now have electricity under the rural electrification programme while their villagers in the same area do not have the same privilege.