GWERU — The Midlands Show Society has postponed the Gweru Agricultural Show which was scheduled to start tomorrow and end on Sunday, to August 8 to 11, in what show organisers say is a move to pave way for elections set for July 31.
Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT
Show society president Pascal Muringani told journalists that events and programmes planned will not be changed, but the dates were changed so they did not clash with the run-up to elections.
“We have now moved the dates to August 8 to 11 and we just want to make sure our show will not get in the way of elections that are due soon,” he said.
But Zanu PF insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the show had to be cancelled since President Robert Mugabe was set to address a rally on Sunday at Mkoba Stadium.
“The agricultural show is one of the biggest crowd pullers, not only in the city, but the province and as such it was not possible to have it running with His Excellency (Mugabe)’s scheduled address this Friday in Gweru,” the insider said.
When Mugabe addresses rallies, it is reported that shops and other businesses within the vicinity are forced to close. Recently, Zanu PF youths reportedly forced people in Chitungwiza to close shops and attend a rally at Chibuku Stadium.
One person died and others were injured during that meeting .
