Incidents of political discrimination continue in Zimbabwe despite the signature this week of a memorandum of understanding laying the groundwork for power-sharing talks, according to sources in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

They pointed to efforts by a traditional leader in the Mazowe Central and South constituencies in Mashonaland Central province who is moving to expel opposition supporters from his area.

Sources said acting chief Negomo of Chiweshe is demanding Z$350 billion in cash (US$5) and two goats from each of eight families he is accusing of supporting the MDC, sources said.

Negomo served the families with eviction orders on Monday, and opposition sources said they are now trying to line up legal representation to challenge the evictions, the sources said.

VOA was unable to reach Negomo on his mobile phone.

Mazowe Central opposition activist Trymore Ruze, who accompanied the eight victims to a Harare lawyer this week, told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that a chief does not have the power to evict people based on their political affiliation.

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