MDC-T, Zanu-PF accused of bribery

THE MDC led by Welshman Ncube has accused Zanu-PF and the MDC- T of using bicycles and food handouts as bribes to buy its supporters in Matabeleland North.

The MDC said the two parties are so jealous of the party's support in the region that has allegedly been further pushed up by its devolution of power campaigns.

Last month, four MDC councillors Thokozani Mpofu, Jabulani Ncube, Lewis Moyo and Collet Dube crossed the floor to join Zanu-PF during a rally addressed by Mines minister Obert Mpofu.

Qhubani Moyo, the MDC director of policy and research, yesterday maintained the party had massive support to the extent that ZanuPF and MDC T were now resorting to bribes to lure their followers.

"The MDC-T is now just like Zanu-PF," he said.

"They are running scared because of the huge support base that we command.

"They are now resorting to diabolic machinations that include bribes, buying our supporters.

"They have seen that people are flocking to our party because they realise that since it is only us that campaigned for devolution, we are, therefore, the only ones best suited to implement it."

However, MDC T deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe and Zanu-PF Matabeleland North chairman Richard Moyo denied the charges, accusing the MDC of seeking cheap publicity.

"They are just lying. In fact, the MDC does not have people. It's only a crowd or a group of people masquerading as a political party," Bhebhe said.

Zanu-PF's Moyo said: "Zanu-PF does not bribe anyone to join the party.

"People come to us seeking our assistance, especially food since there is hunger in the region and we have not failed them.

"The two MDC's have failed Matabeleland North and people are coming back to re-join us."

Zanu-PF and the two MDC's have been busy holding rallies in the region with analysts saying Matabeleland would be a political hotbed as the elections approach.