More opposition support visible as election nears

By Tererai Karimakwenda
25 March, 2008

For the first time ever during elections Zimbabweans are reported to be wearing t-shirts, caps and party regalia to openly support opposition parties. Fear has prevented this for years because the ruling party has used the youth militia and other state agents to assault or harass anyone seen to be sympathetic to the opposition, especially the MDC.

Political commentator and lecturer Dr. John Makumbe told Newsreel on Tuesday that people are wearing and displaying items supporting the MDC and Simba Makoni,. This is happening not only in the urban areas that are considered opposition strongholds, but out in the remote areas where ZANU-PF still alleges that it is dominant.

Makumbe said people are suffering terribly under Mugabe’s leadership and the hunger is so deep that it has led them to speak out. There is also an increased level of honesty about the issues.

Makumbe explained: “People used to lie to Mugabe and to ZANU-PF to get the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table. But they have found out that the crumbs do not last long, and they become destitute again.”

He added that people now appear to have the courage to say; “No, I will not be used anymore.” Some die-hard ruling party supporters have also been reported to be openly supporting Tsvangirai and Makoni.

Reports from the ground indicate that ruling party officials are having a hard time mobilising supporters to attend their rallies. One report said many people walked out of a rally that was being addressed by Vice President Msika over the weekend.

Robert Mugabe himself did not have better luck. As we reported, he finally addressed a small crowd of about 2000 supporters in Bulawayo on Sunday, after postponing this so-called “star rally” twice, because his organisers had failed to mobilise large crowds. Schools are currently closed so there were no school children to bus to these rallies, as has been the practice in the past.

There are also unconfirmed reports that Biggie Chitoro, a ZANU-PF thug from Mberengwa district, south of Masvingo, is now campaigning for Simba Makoni in the same area. He is reported to have confessed that he used to kill for ZANU-PF and switched allegiances because there were too many unfulfilled promises.

Makumbe urged Zimbabweans to come out in large numbers and vote on March 29. The more people come out to vote, the harder it is to rig.