Undercover: People sport Zanu-PF gear
If the visibility of party regalia was the only yardstick to gauge the popularity of the parties contesting the elections, Zanu-PF would be miles ahead.
Even in Movement for Democratic Change strongholds, such as Harare, Manicaland, Bulawayo and the Matabeleland region, Zanu-PF baseball caps, T-shirts, head wrappers, wrapping cloths, berets and overalls bearing Mugabe’s face are more popular than the clothing of all the other parties put together.
In Harare, where the MDC won 28 of the 29 constituencies in 2008, one never sees a bus bearing MDC-T posters. But it is very common to see bus drivers and conductors proudly wearing Zanu-PF regalia.
The party’s campaign regalia is also popular with motorists, but not necessarily because of their love of the party — it keeps police officers notorious for demanding bribes at bay.
“The regalia works magic with the police officers. Last week I drove from Bulawayo to Harare and at no point was I asked for a licence. I was asked to stop a number of times but, as soon as they saw I was wearing a Zanu-PF T-shirt and cap, the officers just told me to carry on,” a motorist, John Mhere, said.
“It is a ploy being used by many motorists and perhaps that is the reason why so many commuter omnibus crew members are wearing that regalia. For me, it’s about not being delayed on the road but I would never imagine myself voting for Mugabe. No, not in a thousand years.”
Just for protection
Several people who spoke to the Mail & Guardian said they were wearing the clothing for protection; others said they had collected Zanu-PF regalia and stored it in case they needed it in the future.
“You never know what will happen, especially if there is a run-off. I have Zanu-PF T-shirts and caps at home just in case the election turns violent.
“Remember in March 2008, the election was very peaceful and people were wearing MDC T-shirts without fear, but when Zanu-PF lost, all hell broke loose and people were assaulted and hounded out of their homes,” said a Mbare resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The chairperson of Harare Residents’ Trust, Precious Shumba, said the popularity of the Zanu-PF regalia should not be equated with the popularity of the party. He also said people could be wearing Zanu-PF clothing as a form of protection should the campaigns turn violent.
Political analysts are predicting a run-off.
“In Harare, the MDC is very strong. However, given the experience of June 2008, people remain cautious on how they dress. People would rather put on Zanu-PF regalia for their own safety and vote MDC on election day,” said Shumba.
Shocking popularity
The chairperson of the National Association of Nongovernmental Organisations, Effie Ncube, who lives in Bulawayo, where Zanu-PF has not won a single seat since 2000, said the popularity of the party’s regalia was shocking.
He said, in the case of Bulawayo, its popularity could not be attributed to fear, given the huge popularity of the MDC parties there. He said people could be wearing the T-shirts, which were free, because of poverty.
Ncube said Zanu-PF should also be congratulated for its organisation. They had ensured that they were visible even in places where they were not popular.
“If you drop [into] Bulawayo from the sky, you would certainly say Zanu-PF is the most popular party in the city. Every other person you meet, be it the young people, men, women and the elderly, are wearing Zanu-PF T-shirts. You are seeing posters on cars and kombis, so this is quite an outstanding campaign,” he said.
At a Zanu-PF rally at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza, a woman died and several were injured in a stampede for T-shirts.
Asked about the clothing being worn for reasons other than genuine support for the party, Zanu-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo dismissed the allegations and said people loved the party and were wearing its clothing out of choice.
“Zanu-PF has turned around since the dismal performance of 2008. We have gone on a full-blown campaign throughout the country and our message has been well received,” Gumbo said. “The regalia has added sweetness to a mature campaign and people want to wear it because they identify with the party.”