By Samuel Takawira

Multitudes of residents in Epworth have divulged that they are purchasing the newly introduced Zanu PF electronic card for security reasons.

The ruling party launched the  electronic party card for its membership claiming that it is a move  to strengthen the party by embracing technology.

The new card which is meant   see the creation of an electronic database for the party with information on how many numbers it has and  where they are located  party is being  purchased as for security reasons .

According to Zanu-PF national commissar Cde Webster Shamu electronic membership cards will serve as a hub of membership information.

However, a visit to the Epworth, one of the country’s shanty  suburbs,  which was selected as one of the trial runs for the electronic card  system has unveiled  that scores of people purchase the card for security reasons.

The electronic card which is being offered from $1 has been described by scores of people in Epworth as a passport to favours from the government.

“ Most of the people  you see here have applied for the electronic card not because  they sympathize with Zanu PF  but it’s  because they want to secure their workstations ,”  said Tapiwa Muchena , a carpenter at  Chikomo Home industry adding that there is a  general belief that if you are not a card holder you will  be chucked out of the home industry.

Beauty Alfasi ,a resident in Epworth echoed the above sentiments when she said that the 2008 violence ghost is still haunting the people.

“The cards are selling like hot cakes because the 2008 violence wound is still fresh and people do not want a replica of the situation hence residents are purchasing membership cards to protect themselves,” said Alfasi.

She went on to say that she had her property vandalized and family beaten for supporting the opposition and she had to acquire the card for the safety of her family .

Alexander Rusero, a political analyst lambasted the electronic card system when he said that some of the ideas being used are no longer relevant in contemporary times.

“Having a card and being a member are two different things. It’s not about driving people to have party cards but it’s about delivering to the people. There is no efficacy in issuing a card,” said Rusero.

Rusero also said that it is normal for people to scramble for Zanu PF cards.

“ It is not a surprise that people might have cards, the reason being that Zanu PF has resources. It is normal in any country were the party in power has control over resources.

However some people like Nobert  Ncube,  said that they genuinely purchased the cards.

“I purchased this card out of my own will no one compelled me to do so, I have been a  Zanu PF supporter for many years because the  party that has managed to deliver  material things.

Hasimoni Shadaya, a Zanu PF activist and Ward 6 councilor refuted  the claims above saying that people  are not being  forced to acquire the card.

“ Noone is being  forced to have that card, people are doing this at free will without  any one driving them,” said Shadaya.