Zanu (PF) supporters in bid to oust Chitungwiza mayor from office

By Tichaona Sibanda
31 October 2005

Unruly Zanu (PF) supporters on Monday stormed the offices of the Chitungwiza Town Council and barred the Mayor, Misheck Shoko from entering the premises.

Fearing for his life, the Mayor was driven to a safe location. Busloads of ruling party supporters were ferried from as far as Harare to come and demonstrate against the MDC led council.

The MDC MP for Chitungwiza Fidelis Mhashu said the disruptive and unruly crowd, led by local businessman Christopher Chigumba terrorised council employees and ransacked offices. All this was done in clear view of police details who were present.

'You see how the law applies in Zimbabwe. If it's Zanu (PF) they get permission for demonstrations but when it comes to the opposition, it's a completely different story altogether', said Mhashu.

Last week, Mayor Shoko told Newsreel from Victoria Falls that a demonstration had been planned to oust him from office. The losing Zanu (PF) MP for Zengeza Christopher Chigumba is alleged to be behind it. The demonstration, according to Mhashu, had the blessing of Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo who has been trying get rid of Shoko for the better part of this year.