Mnangagwa exposes Zanu-PF rigging strategy?

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last weekend unwittingly exposed Zanu-PF's election-rigging strategies when he told party members in Midlands that they had devised a system where traditional leaders, ward chairpersons and councillors would closely monitor their subjects to ensure they voted for the ruling party's candidates in the forthcoming by-elections slated for March 2.

Addressing Zanu-PF members at the launch of his wife Auxilia's election campaign for the Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency, Mnangagwa said they would monitor voting patterns, apply intimidatory tactics and trail voters so that they voted for the ruling party candidates in the Chirumanzu-Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West by-elections.

According to the Newsday, Mnangagwa warned that those who failed to vote for the ruling party would be effectively closed out of government programmes by what he termed ruzhowa [perimeter fence]. He also insinuated that those known to be against the party should not be given a chance to cast their vote.

"What has brought us together is an election which is coming Auxillia will be contesting with three other candidates which candidates do not have a history, and I don't even know what these people have done in their lives," Mnangagwa said.