Political Reporter
Being a Zanu-PF supporter brings a variety of benefits, but to those on the lower exchelons of the ladder, and desperate, this can be a daunting task.
Many supporters or followers of the ruling Party have fallen prey to several and many victimization processes.
High in the agenda is being forced to attend Zanu-PF rallies, being forced to pay certain fees for party programs and many others.
It becomes worse when the lower supporter is involved in illegal activities, albeit for genuine survival, such as vending from illegal sites, or being settled on an illegal settlement.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has intervened to stop an unauthorized regularization scheme in Harare South, where Zanu PF officials were extorting over 150,000 illegal settlers.
The scammers, led by Reclief Chikwenhure, demanded $50 to $70 from each household, potentially pocketing over $7.5 million.
The Harare South block comprises Hunyani constituency, Harare South (popularly known in Zanu PF circles as the V-Belt and Churu constituencies with over 150 000 households, mostly ruling party supporters who were illegally settled during elections.
“My office received numerous complaints regarding the unsanctioned regularization exercise in Harare South,” wrote Cosmas Chiringa, secretary for provincial affairs and devolution.
“Kindly be advised that Harare Metropolitan province has nothing to do with any so-called regularization exercises in the area.”
Chiringa emphasized that the province didn’t engage anyone to conduct such exercises and is not responsible for informal settlement regularization. He ordered a halt to the bogus verification exercise and instructed reporting such cases to the Zimbabwe Republic Police for arrest and prosecution.
The scheme aimed to exploit residents’ personal details, create a tool for Zanu PF to manipulate the electorate, and fleece vulnerable residents. Chaos erupted when opposition activists blocked Zanu PF youth from collecting fees from desperate residents.
Key Points:
- Unsanctioned Regularization Scheme: Zanu PF officials extorted illegal settlers in Harare South.
- Intervention: President Mnangagwa blocked the scheme.
- Scammers’ Demands: $50 to $70 from each household.
- Potential Gains: Over $7.5 million.
- Province’s Stance: Harare Metropolitan province denies involvement.
- Reporting Irregularities: Cases to be reported to Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Chiringa said they had engaged the Zanu PF provincial office to put a stop to such activities taking place in their constituency.
Zim GBC News©2024