HARARE and Bulawayo residents and the business community have expressed outrage over the defacing of their buildings and properties by political parties with campaign posters as they woo voters ahead of the August 23 polls.
Some posters are pasted on council properties such as schools and clinics in the two metropolitan provinces.
Zanu PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change are the major culprits, but the former’s posters are the most prevalent.
“Political parties cannot go around plastering their campaign posters wherever they want on our properties in disregard of the city’s by-laws,” a Bulawayo resident said.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson, Ambrose Sibindi, said he had received several complaints from residents and business owners.
“The pasting of these posters is most prevalent in the central business district (CBD), that is where we have seen a lot of posters being pasted around the CBD area,” Sibindi said.
Harare Residents Trust director, Precious Shumba, said: “Campaign posters are a necessity for the candidates and political parties seeking the people's mandate. However, the trust urges local authorities to charge the candidates and their political parties for their immediate removal after elections.”
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson, Lovemore Meya, said political parties putting posters on private properties should get clearance from the owners.
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Bulawayo City Council recently banned the pasting of campaign posters on its buildings and other council infrastructure such as signposts.
Political parties that violate the by-laws would be fined, council said.
Bulawayo deputy mayor councillor Mlandu Ncube said defacing buildings with campaign posters was unlawful.
“We did communicate to the contesting people about this issue of pasting posters everywhere in the city but as we have seen these politicians tend to behave in a somewhat funny manner and that is unacceptable,” Ncube said.
Meanwhile, Zapu spokesperson, Mso Ndlovu, yesterday alleged that his party’s posters were being removed by Zanu PF activists, a charge the ruling party dismissed as false.
