Opposition supporters in Chimanimani denied agricultural inputs

HARARE – MDC Alliance supporters in Chimanimani have claimed that Zanu PF officials have threatened to deny them free agricultural inputs under the presidential input scheme if they don’t support President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election bid.

Zanu PF is mobilising to raise five million voters for the 2023 general elections.

MDC Alliance Manicaland spokesperson David Panganai said, ahead of the 2023 polls, there were growing fears of human rights violations by ruling party supporters, with the opposition supporters being intimidated and sometimes beaten up.

“I have reports of intimidation around Manicaland and Chimanimani in particular,” Panganai said.

“They are being told at meetings that if they do not vote for Zanu PF, they are not going to receive presidential inputs or they will be beaten.”

Meanwhile, farmers who benefited under the Command Agriculture scheme will have to repay at least 80 percent of the 2020/21 summer cropping season total loan by November 30, failure of which they won’t be enrolled in the coming season, a cabinet minister has said.

“Farmers with outstanding debts will not be enrolled for the 2021/22 summer cropping season until they have made an immediate payment of at least 50 percent of the 2020/21 season total loan amount by September 31, 2021.

“They should also make a repayment of at least 80 percent of the total amount by November 30, 2021,” said Agriculture minister Dr Anxious Masuka.