War vet Sibanda threatens 2000 at Masvingo rally
By Tererai Karimakwenda
12 January 2011
Self proclaimed war vet leader, Jabulani Sibanda, is reported to have
brought his language of hate and political threats to the town of Triangle
in Masvingo over the weekend. According to the Crisis Coalition, Sibanda and
his thugs forced about 2,000 people to attend a rally at Gibbo Stadium on
Sunday, and threatened them with violence and death if they supported the
MDC in the next election.
The Crisis Coalition said Sibanda compared his campaign to “the biblical
story of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem,” after discovering it had
become “a market for thieves.” He reportedly told the forced audience that
he is “on a mission to restore order in Zimbabwe.”
There have been concerted efforts by the MDC and non-governmental
organisations to have Sibanda investigated and arrested for the violent acts
that he has committed, especially in Zaka, Bikita, Jerera and Chiredzi.
But according to the Crisis Coalition spokesperson Philip Pasirayi, the
police have not investigated the alleged acts and the war vet has continued
his campaign.
“We have made reports to the effect that he is spreading his terror.
Although the police have done nothing, we will not stop. We will bring the
allegations to higher authorities if necessary,” said Pasirayi.
At the Triangle rally, Sibanda is alleged to have threatened to take over
the Hippo Valley Estates, under the guise of indigenisation. He also
attacked the American government for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe, despite
the sanctions being targeted, restrictive measures against Robert Mugabe and
his inner circle.
Pasirayi pointed to similar threats made by Mugabe at a rally in Gutu in
December, 2010, when he said Hippo Valley would be taken over if it fails to
give majority shares to locals.
“These are desperate attempts and they will not help Zimbabwe economically.
Investors will fear that the same will happen to them if they come here to
do business,” said Pasirayi.
According to the Crisis Coalition, ZANU PF officials have already seized
Mkwasine Estates in the same area and “run it to the ground by employing
unqualified staff and misusing funds.” Many farm workers that were employed
there now have no jobs. The approximately 10,000 workers that are employed
at Triangle Estates face the same possibility of losing their jobs if it is
taken over political chefs.
Pasirayi said Sibanda does not travel with a large team of thugs. He
explained that Sibanda manages to get thousands to attend his rallies
because he is known to be ruthless against suspected MDC supporters, and
people in rural areas do not want that label.
“Since the formation of the MDC many people have lost their life and others
their livestock and property. People are afraid not to attend the rallies,”
added Pasirayi. But he explained that this does not mean they support
Sibanda or ZANU PF.