Rural Folk March for Mugabe

In one of the most disappointing and embarassing political scenes ever witnessed in Zimbabwe, at least a million shabby, tired, hungry looking men and women from various rural areas marched for more than thirty kilometers in 'support of President Robert Mugabe’s candidature' in the 2008 harmonised elections.

Mugabe Supporters Showing Their Support For His 2008 Candidature

However, many people (watching the proceedings) felt pity as most men and women had luggage in their hands and on their backs as they sang and marched along Samora Machel Avenue (from the Exhibition Park to Julius Nyerere Way), Julius Nyerere Way to Kenneth Kaunda, Charter, Simon Mazorodze and Willowvale roads, and Mainway in Highfield up to the Zimbabwe Grounds.

Many of the marchers were dressed in torn clothes, others had no shoes whilst a number were putting on sandals- made out of tyres (manyatera in Shona)

A lot of top Zanu PFofficials could be seen driving alongside the marchers in their expensive cars such as Mercedes Benz. Mutare based businessman, Esau Mupfumi could be seen in his Hummer.

From what this reporter and many citizens witnessed, no marchers seemed to have come from the urban areas (as seen especially by clothes put on by the individuals) and almost everyone had luggage.

Buses and trucks ferrying the marchers also indicated they were coming from far away places and if they were not forced 'as usual', they were given 'peanuts' to do the march.

At around 9am, haulage trucks and Zupco buses could be seen flocking into town. A lot of marchers arrived a couple of days ago in trains from various places across the country.

Most of them were camped at Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield were they were reported to be interupting Takashinga Cricket Club training sessions.

The group was this morning led by an ambulance and about three mercedes benz police vehicles.  Many policemen were on bicycles escorting the marchers.

Joseph Chinotimba could also be noticed walking among a group of war veterans who had seperated themselves from the rest of the group.

Whilst along Samora Machel Avenue, many marchers had been left behind by a highly energetic group of youths which led the whole group. Some of the middle-aged and old were now being helped to get onto the back of a few available pick-up trucks.

A man who was coming from the bank to witness the march indicated, "What have all these people eaten that give them the power to march for such a long distance in this economic environment?"

"Are they employed? I don't think so," he answered himself.

It is understood Zanu-PF members from the country’s ten provinces participated.

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