From the time Dread (not real name) (28) moved from his rural home to the dusty and shanty suburb of Epworth on the outskirts of the capital Harare, he has never seen and experienced such a horrible life. Neither did he ever think things will be like this today.

Many call him ‘Dread’ because of the hairstyle- dreadlocks. He is one of the many Zimbabweans who have encountered the ruling ZANU PF brutality during this presidential election run-off campaign.

Speaking to The Zimbabwe Gazette, the young man indicated first of all, he wanted to recite one of the most recent ZANU PF slogans as he has been forced to do.

“Pamberi neZANU PF, Pamberi nekuvhotera Cde Robert Mugabe. Pasi neMDC. Pasi naMorgan Tsvangirai. Pasi nekutengesa nyika.”

Party supporters say, “Pamberi.”

“WW. WW,” he continued.

Party supporters say, “Win or War.”

The terrified Dread hints he does this almost everyday, as he is forced to attend ZANU PF rallies and meeting anytime.

Last week, a group of ZANU PF youths came to the house where I stay and ‘asked’ me to accompany them to a night rally in Epworth.

“I had been hearing these kind of stories and always told my friends I would resist. Now, I had met my fate and failed to resist due to fear.”

“We went door by door, with the group forcing people (youths) out of houses. After a while, we reached the party base.”

“Our names were taken down and we were warned never to fail to attend a single rally. If one does not attend, they track down and beat the person up,” he said.

According to Dread, they spent the night singing and chanting ruling party slogans whilst being monitored by ‘militants’. They are told your home, family and work is not important. Only ZANU PF is important.

“One day, we embarked on a march around the capital whereby we were distributing ZANU PF pamphlets, posters and T-shirts.”

“My legs were sore. We also moved from one party base to another in the popular high-density suburb of Mbare. Actually, there are eight bases in Mbare in the areas which include Magaba, Siya-So, National, near Adbernie and Mupedzanhamo market.”

“The youth leaders heard him and confronted him. They said he was used to being paid by Tsvangirai’s MDC. They beat him up,” he said.

“When those guys beat someone up, one of them (usually a leader) shouts, “Chokwadi chaComrade (Comrade’s truth).” The rest of the group says, “Chiri kumagaro (It’s behind). They then order the person to lie down and get 45 strokes on the buttocks.”

“I just wish the whole election thing passes by. I will never-ever vote for Mugabe.”

“I believe that’s what happens when change is about to come. Even history says that,” he concluded.

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