www.zimeye.org
By Dumisani Ndlovu
1st March 2013
The Zanu PF district leadership in Shurugwi is reportedly fanning terror in ward 21 of Shrurugwi South Constituency forcing teachers to formulate local liberation party structures.
Kashambe primary, Dorset primary and secondary schools are said to be the most affected. The move has brought hyper-critics from local leaders describing it as a desperate move to regain the political grip.
Teachers who spoke to this reporter complained that militias had descended on their school, forcing the professionals to put up party structures.
“I am deeply worried about the development, which obviously is a direct violation of our political choice right. Teachers at two schools were forcibly grouped into one Zanu PF structure. All this was done by senior district party leadership against our will. They are now selling their political party cards in local schools, targeting teachers and students with identity documents. The incident has sent a wave of shock and fear in the locality,’’ complained a teacher who prayed for anonymity citing possible victimisation.
MDC ward 21 chairperson, NkosanaDube, condemned the act.
“Honestly Zanu PF is showing its highest degree of desperation. We received reports that they are secretly moving into schools selling their party cards’ †said Dube.
He added that the targeted schools administration staff could not refuse, fearing unspecified action from the party, whose leader has previously boasted of degrees in violence.
Other villagers who spoke to ZimEye have called upon the Joint Operations and Monitoring Committee (JOMIC) to return, intervene and save them from the marauding Zanu (PF) leaders, saying that the police were reluctant on the issue.
“I understand JOMIC was established to monitor the political situation. What we want is a change in approach so that Zanu (PF) will be exposed,†said a Thembani Moyo, a local villager.
The political commissariat Patrick Mbiba and local youth’s militia are said to be spearheading the terror.
“We have suffered violence from Zanu (PF) supporters; they claimed they won during last year’s elections then why are they troubling us,’’ said another villager.
Former Minister of Education, David Coltart, during the inclusive government said school premises should not be used for political meetings. He however said the ban does not apply to private schools.