Jim Kunaka Blames Two Organisations For Mbare Violence
ZANU PF Original leader Jim Kunaka has blamed ZANU PF and the City of Harare for the recent clashes in Mbare, Harare, that resulted in the loss of lives and significant damage to property.
Kunaka, who allegedly led the Mbare-based violent Chipangano group, spoke to Open Parly ZW about the background of the conflicts between ZANU PF and CCC activists that resulted in the burning down of market stalls at Mupedzanhamo Flea Market.
Kunaka claimed that ZANU PF seeks to control Mbare and allocate vending spaces to its supporters while keeping opposition activists out. He said:
The problem of clashes between the two political parties ZANU PF and CCC is being caused by ZANU PF.
I am saying so because they are fighting to take control of Mbare.
We all know that in 2018 Mbare was won by the CCC at the constituency level.
One ward went to CCC, and one ward in which people are fighting today went to ZANU PF.
In 2008 there was a mixture of people from different political parties in that market.
But MDC-T supporters trading at the Mupedzanhamo market were chased away from the market.
Now, when the government shut down the market to allow the council to rehabilitate it.
The traders who were forcefully removed from the market saw an opportunity to claim back what belongs to them.
They have approached the City of Harare department responsible for markets, requesting them to give them back the 20 stalls.
Kunaka accused a local ZANU PF youth leader of orchestrating the attacks targetting CCC activists resulting in the running battles. He said:
The problem has been created by the provincial youth chairman called Mahachi, he is the one who is sending ZANU PF youths from other wards coming to fight the CCC guys who are operating a flea market.
He also blamed the violence on Harare City Council’s alleged failure to create more vending sites for residents which led to fighting for space. Said Kunaka:
I put the whole blame for what is happening on the City of Harare.
The relevant department should be creating more vending sites.
There is no employment in our country and vendors are increasing at an alarming rate on a daily basis.
It means the local authority is not being creative.
They should have created more markets within Mbare because the spaces are there.
