Pastor joins Parly race

As jostling for a shot at Parliament gathers momentum in Zanu-PF, a pastor at End Time Messages has reportedly joined the race for the Mabvuku seat.

The pastor, only identified as Gundwa is expected to battle it out with Zimbabwe Minerals Development (ZMDC) chairman, Godwills Masimirembwa and young businessman Chamu Chiwanza.

While Zanu PF has banned campaigning for elections until after the referendum, soliciting for votes has already started in most constituencies in the country including in Mabvuku.

Gundwa stands accused of launching a spirited campaign to run for Parliament on a Zanu-PF ticket using church resources to entice supporters of the former ruling party to vote for him in primary elections.

He has also been accused of using a Salvation Army property along Mangwende Road to campaign.

But Gundwa could neither deny nor confirm his political ambitions saying all he was doing for now was charity work.

There have also been allegations that the pastor is receiving money from donors for church purposes which he is now using for political gains. But he denies this.

 "I never did such thing. I did not go to Mabvuku for political reasons but I went there to familiarise myself with people in the area. We are planning to open a church there.

"However, I used Zanu-PF structures in the area to help with gathering of people so that we could donate some goods to the people," Gundwa said.

Gundwa said his church donated mealie meal, peanut butter and buckets, saying the people in Mabvuku experience water problems and can now use the buckets to store the precious liquid.

He said after the donations, some people approached him, wanting him to run as a legislator for the area.

But he told the Daily News that  he had not made up his mind.

Other Zanu-PF activists and politicians who have been accused of using food hand-outs to gun for support include party chairman Simon Khaya Moyo whose "Mudle lidle" mealie meal packs were exposed by this newspaper.