Zanu-PF's vote buying scheme hits a snag

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai alleges that attempts by Zanu PF candidates to buy loyalty through the indigenisation programme hits a snag in Masvingo Urban this week after residents of the ancient city snubbed a purported empowerment scheme spearheaded by senior party politicians.

MDC-T says the aspiring Zanu PF candidate for Masvingo Urban, Omar Josbi, has introduced a controversial empowerment programme under an organisation called the Hub Private Limited. Under the scheme, residents would be allocated stalls to operate flea markets but the residents in the city snubbed the whole idea saying it was an election ploy meant to spruce up the Zanu PF's tattered image.

Tendai Gata, a local flea market operator and MDC-T supporter dismissed the whole scheme as a ploy to hoodwink the electorate.

"The whole issue is a fiasco because this is a clever way of milking residents of their hard earned money. If we join the programme we will be virtually financing Zanu PF because people are being asked to pay a token of appreciation," said Gata.

It was observed that the stalls were virtually deserted this week, despite repeated appeals from the Zanu PF leadership to convince local residents to join the programme.

Another flea market operator in Tapiwa Chideya said the latest gimmick from Zanu PF reflected the desperate measures in the former ruling party.

"Zanu PF is desperate to salvage its waning political image and the party is trying to fleece the electorate into believing they would be empowered - yet they will be used by the party. That is the norm and we are unwilling to be used to champion the Zanu PF cause," said Chideya.