population of 134 940 people, 70 195 of them being females (ZimStats, 2012). About 28 849
of the total population were registered voters in the 2013 election (RAU, 2013).
The constituency is located 60km South West of Mutare town along Birchenough Bridge
highway. The constituency stretches approximately 60km from Wengezi River, to Changadzi
River and it shelters about 5 growth points including Wengezi, Chakohwa, Nyanyadzi,
Tonhorai and Biriwiri shopping centres, giving it a peri-urban outlook. Geographically, the
constituency is surrounded by five different constituencies; separated by Mashonjowa River
is Mutare South Constituency in the North Eastern side, Mutare West Constituency
occupying the North West-West belt of the constituency, Chimanimani East Constituency in
the Eastern side stretching to the Zimbabwe-Mozambique borderline, Buhera South in the
South West belt (separated by Changadzi and Save River confluence, and Chipinge West
Constituency on the South bank of Changadzi River.
The community is largely dominated with cash crops production namely tomatoes, beans,
wheat and maize most of which are produced under irrigation - Tonhorai, Chipiro and
Nyanyadzi Irrigation Schemes. There is also a lot of small to medium entrepreneurs,
flourishing from mostly mat knitting and weaving. The trade is dominant in this area because
of baobab trees which has its bucks used as raw materials.
3. Historical Electoral Environment
Chimanimani West constituency is a political hotspot in Chimanimani District. Since 2002
the constituency often witness violent conflicts ahead of elections. High incidences of
political violence were most experienced in -Nyanyadzi, Biriwiri, Hot Springs, Wengezi, and
St Patricks. Violence and torture camps recorded in the year 2008 March and June 27
elections were at Nyanyadzi Training Centre, Nhedziwa Creche and Chakohwa. Several
NGOs in the area suspended work in 2008. The Centre for Research and Development also
notes that in 2008 Chimanimani people, particularly those in the Cashel Valley area “lost
their sources of livelihood in the form of cattle, land dispossession and resource deprivation
2