GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA

CHATSWORTH – ZRP Gutu on Thursday allegedly impounded and destroyed an estimated 600kg of beef intended for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Ward 6 victory celebrations that was supposed to be addressed by party leader Nelson Chamisa.
Tens of villagers who came prepared for celebrations went back home on empty stomachs after the meat was destroyed.
The meat was allegedly impounded because it was uninspected. Sources told The Mirror that the meat was destroyed by burning at Gutu Abattoir yesterday. Ironically selling and consumption of uninspected meat is the norm in Zimbabwe. Beasts are slaughtered at Zanu PF rallies and fed to supporters without inspection and butcheries all over the country including urban areas sell uninspected meat.
CCC National organising secretary, Amos Chibaya confirmed the matter to The Mirror and said two beasts were slaughtered for the celebrations which were to run concurrently with a rally at Chiriga Business Centre in Chatsworth, Gutu on Thursday.
Chamisa however, did not turn up for the rally because of pressing commitments. Supporters who came prepared for celebrations went back home on empty stomachs after the meat was impounded.
“I bought a beast for Ward 6 victory celebrations and the second one was bought by Ephraim Murodo who is our party candidate in the Gutu West Parliamentary by-election taking place this Saturday (tomorrow). Police impounded the beef from Murodo as he ferried it in his car from Mpandawana to Chiriga and told him that they were going to destroy it because it had no certificate of inspection,” said Chibaya.
Ward 6 which is in Gutu West is the only rural council seat declared as won by CCC in Gutu District in an election condemned by SADC and the entire international community as a sham.
Efforts to get a comment from National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were futile as his mobile phone could not reached by the time of going to Press.
Murodo said Police should not be used by Zanu PF. He said that state institutions should not be used by political parties.
“The Police is being used by Zanu PF. We received information that the road blocks had been mounted and that measures had been put in place to disrupt the rally from our sources. A wellknown CIO assaulted an armed civilian and followed him to the hospital. This is not right,” he said.
Addressing supporters, Chibaya urged villagers not to be coerced into being assisted to vote on Saturday and assured them that their vote was a secret.
“We urge you not to be assisted to vote. Your vote is your secret. Zanu PF is afraid of CCC that is why its resorting to violence,” said Chibaya.