Zanu PF realises Border Gezi graduates are neglected
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SIMBARASHE MTEMBO
MIRROR REPORTER
MASVINGO – Zanu PF has suddenly realised the plight of Border Gezi graduates with less than 12 months before next year’s crunch elections.
A party official said some graduates now have families but are unable to put food on the table because there are no opportunities for them, and they have been neglected for too long.
Last week the party summoned 70 National Youth Service (NYS) graduates from Bikita to a meeting held under the banner of economic empowerment.
Bikita District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Secretary for Commissariat, Kudakwashe Gopo confirmed the meeting to The Mirror. He added that the meeting was going to be attended by Zanu PF and Government heads to discuss empowerment opportunities for Border Gezi graduates.
The Border Gezi youths are used by the party at election time for intimidation and unleashing violence on the electorate.
“We are meeting some 70 Border Gezi graduates on June 22, 2022, at Nyika Growth Point to discuss empowerment opportunities for them. NYS members have been neglected for long and some of them are now mothers and fathers who are struggling to put food on the table.
“The meeting will be attended by Government officials from the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and from the party, we will have members of the youth league,” said Gopo.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Masvingo spokesperson Dereck Charamba accused Zanu PF of creating a violent environment ahead of the looming 2023 elections.
“Zanu PF is now engaging in sophisticated violence and this may escalate beyond the 2008 elections violence which saw hundreds killed,” said Charamba.
Zanu PF Masvingo spokesperson Alphios Murambiwa said he was not aware of the meeting when contacted for a comment. https://masvingomirror.com