ZANU PF Supporters Seize MDC Farm Plots

The landgrab has taken on yet another facet as plots of land in Epworth have been taken over by ZANU PF thugs from people thought to be MDC supporters. How can the land be taken based upon a suspicion only? And how is it acceptable that people who possibly don't support the Mugabe party can have their possessions take away? Absolutely unreal!

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"Residents of Harare’s Epworth township, suspected of being MDC supporters, on Tuesday lost plots of farm land to a gang of ZANU PF supporters who invaded the area and threatened them with death. The gang was allegedly helped by suspected "soldiers" in army uniforms and members of the local neighbourhood watch committee.

A resident from Epworth ward 7, where the ZANU PF elements are based, told SW Radio Africa that MDC supporters were told that they are no longer allowed to own land in the area. The invaders marched to the fields and began allocating land to their own people. Our source said angry local residents gathered and resisted the so-called invasions and violence broke out, with both sides throwing stones until the ZANU PF supporters were driven away."

The report warrants some investigation. If the ZANU PF thugs are employing the assistance of soldiers, then something is very wrong - and if the uniform clad people are not soldiers, then surely a crime has been committed? I recall that in Zimbabwe it is a crime to wear camouflage unless you are a member of the armed forces, and you are wearing a uniform that requires camouflage.

Surely the same is true of all uniforms?

And weapons?

And, to the best of my recollection, threatening someone with death is a crime in Zimbabwe.

"Our source named the same perpetrators mentioned in the NewsDay newspaper. He said a soldier named Vengesai is leading the attacks on MDC supporters in Epworth. He allegedly has the backing of Councilor Mawunge, the only ZANU PF official who won out of 8 positions in Epworth. Thugs named only as Alfred, Mashadaya and Manenji were also accused of leading the violence and harassment of MDC supporters.

Our source said political violence and harassment by ZANU PF has continued with no arrests or investigations, despite Mugabe’s empty words at Independence Day celebrations on Monday, when he said that he wanted peace.

The gang in Epworth allegedly forced residents to attend celebrations at the National Sports Stadium on Monday. They shoved people into mini buses and then beat them as they tried to make their own way home."

So ZANU PF see themselves as invincible, and will resort to using any means to achieve their personal goals. For a political party that claims to have the affairs of the people close to their heart, they certainly are not doing too well.

"Our source said the MDC has initiated many development projects in Epworth, including the ongoing construction of a local power sub-station, paved roads and sewage works. He accused ZANU PF supporters of trying to sabotage all the progress and always disrupting MDC affairs in Epworth.

The Epworth area experienced severe attacks during the 2008 election period when ZANU PF embarked on its brutal campaign against the MDC. The township had overwhelmingly supported MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and the Mugabe regime went out of its way to punish them for it."

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man