A group of war veterans in Ward 18, Mathe, Tsholotsho South are reportedly harassing village heads and threatening them with death for allowing villagers to join the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), CITE has established.
This comes at a time when political parties are already gearing up for the 2023 general elections.
Speaking to CITE, the village head, Sinono Ndebele said he was called to a hearing for allowing villagers to join MRP structures in the ward.
“War vets are threatening us, they are threatening to kill me for allowing people to join MRP. They are threatening me and I am supposed to go for a hearing to answer why I am allowing people to join MRP,” said Ndebele.
Ndebele said he was told to bring R100 for a fine.
“There is no development in our area, it’s our right to vote for anyone we want,” he said.
Meanwhile, MRP Matabeleland North provincial chairperson, Thembisani Mfulongatshi Mpofu said MRP delegates went on the ground on Sunday to assess the situation.
“We received reports that our members are being threatened by war veterans working with other ZANU PF village heads in Tsholotsho. We are on the ground to protect our members as they were called for a hearing but unfortunately, we got here earlier and they couldn’t proceed with their agenda,” said Mpofu.
“As MRP we are not going to allow our members to be victimized because it is everyone’s right to choose the political party of their choice; this is even enshrined in Zimbabwean constitutions.”
“We got here yesterday and we intend to be here for the whole week because the people of Matabeleland have been threatened for a long time, as MRP we are saying this is not going to happen in our country,” Mpofu vowed.
Contacted for a comment, ZANU PF Tsholotsho District Coordinating Committee secretary for gender and culture, Soneni Ncube said she was not aware of the issue.
