Chamisa’s ‘car’ likely to be impounded.
10 December 2021
Prosperity Sikhosana
In October, opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance claimed that over 200 youths attacked their party leader, Nelson Chamisa, when he visited the Province of Masvingo.
The attack, allegedly by Zanu-PF youths who were said to have been “bussed” in from elsewhere, left several members of MDC-A injured and needing hospitalisation, several cars belonging to the party were stoned and damaged.
“Over 200 youths mobilised by Zanu-PF violently attacked President Chamisa’s convoy and advance team on their way to meet community leaders in Charumbira, Masvingo Province. They stoned cars, barricaded roads with burning logs and assaulted members of our team who have now been hospitalised.” Party spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere told NewsDay.
Following this attack supporters of the Main opposition party organised ‘GoFundMe’ project to raise US$120 000 to purchase an armoured car for MDC Alliance President.
By yesterday the fund had surpassed the US$120 000 that was targeted to purchase the vehicle.
Party supporters and well wishers had responded in earnest to the plea to ensure Adv. Chamisa’s safety during his CCC tour of the country.
No sooner had the announcement been made that the targeted amount was reached had a Senior Secretary in the Department of Local Government “signalled” the government’s intention to block Zimbabwean citizens’ vehicle donation to the MDC Alliance.
This was through a message circulating from Twitter which reminded citizenry of the Political Parties Finance Act.
The Political Parties Finance Act in Zimbabwe states that:
“No political party, member of a political party or candidate shall accept any foreign donation, whether directly from the donor or indirectly through a third person…”
Alex Magaisa, in a tweet, responds to one Ndaba saying,
“I see Secretary Ndaba is signalling Government’s intention to block Zimbabwean citizens’ vehicle donation to the MDC Alliance.
“Here’s a gentle reminder that ZanuPF’s Women’s League just recently received laptops & smartphones from the Chinese!”
This sparked controversy with the public noting that the funds are not from any foreign donation.
“What is the definition of foreign funding? Its done by Zimbabwean citizens including those in the diaspora but its homegrown.”
“Can we really say that a Zimbabwean diaspora cannot be a member of a political party and pay membership fees?” said one Mavulindlela.
Zama Nyathi agreed with the above and said,
“So Zimbabweans in the diaspora are now referred to as foreign funders, yet China is not. This is pathetic. So our loved ones are getting foreign funding when we send them money and groceries shuwa.”
As stated above some donations from China were given to Zanu-PF Women’s League. The donations were laptops and smartphones.
The same Chinese organisation-All China Women’s Federation donated sewing
machines in 2010. Last year, Zanu-PF received 30 000 Covid-19 testing kits, 220 000 masks and 40 000 gloves.
With that in mind, the public states that the law cannot be selective, the law cannot be applicable on the opposition party only.
The assertion that Chamisa’s car could be impounded comes after the late MDC-A President Morgan Tsvangirai’s BMW was impounded following the breaching of the law of Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
Under the Tip law, a vehicle can only be driven by an authorised foreigner. It cannot be released to a local but has to be driven back to foreign country of origin by a citizen of that country if it is on TIP.
On the Chamisa case, the Political Party Finance Act states that there shall be no foreign funding and no solicitation of donations from foreigners.
Seeing that the donations for the car are from the citizens not only locals but from the diaspora, providing evidence that the donations came strictly from Zimbabweans may be difficult to prove if the need arise.
That being the case, if ever the car had to come into the country, explanations on why the car should be armoured would be needed thus leading an impound either way.
However, Zimbabweans who have supported the cause have praised the MDC Alliance President and advised that the country should again team up to raise funds for the 2023 elections.
The public awaits eagerly for Chamisa’s car to land in the country and see whether it will be impounded or not.
Zim GBC News