Youths in Chipinge South’s ward 28 have accused Zanu PF Youth Officers of threatening to disrupt a soccer tournament organized by a local business owner to promote sports talent in the area.
According to Forget Hlomani, a member of Platform for Youth Development, Ndomupeyi Mandhlazi, leading a team of Zanu PF Youth Officers is alleged to have told Mukanya Holdings, organizers of the Soccer Tournament to stop their planned event without giving reasons for his disapproval.
Hlomani who is also the Ward Coordinator for the tournament expressed concern over the behavior of Zanu PF Youth Officers whom he said were politicizing a noble initiative that seeks to bring youths together.
“I am pained with this level of ignorance shown by ZANU PF youth officers. The youth officers are being partisan by taking instruction from ZANU PF leadership who themselves cannot allow young people to gather without sloganeering” fumed Hlomani.
The tournament which was scheduled for Mabee on the 13th of November and Chinyamukwakwa on the 20th of November 2016, but could not kick off as planned due to political interference.
“The preparations were already at an advanced level before facing this political interference since the final games were set for the first week of December 2016,” Ranga Mukula, the organizer of the tournament.
Mukula insisted the tournament will proceed since it has nothing to do with ZANU PF or any of the opposition political parties, but the young people of ward 28.
“We have no allegiance to party politics but allegiance to young people” said Mukanya.
PYD Director, Claris Madhuku promised to intervene to ensure that the tournament takes place without drama.
“Platform for Youth Development Trust shares the spirit and confidence expressed by the sponsors like Mukanya who are helping communities by bringing young people together.
“As a community based organization, we believe that young people must be given opportunities to come together and create platforms to discuss their challenges and hopes. A soccer tournament is one such platform and we will intervene to positively explain the advantages of such forums which promote co-existence,” said Madhuku.
