Scramble for Bulawayo

Bulawayo continues to hog the political limelight this year with three opposition parties - MDC-T, Zapu and People's Democratic Party -— electing to hold their national celebrations in the country's second city.

Zapu held its eighth elective congress in Bulawayo last month, where Dumiso Dabengwa was re-elected party's president.

The Tendai Biti-led PDP has booked Bulawayo's White City Stadium for its first anniversary celebrations on Sunday. MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Zimbabwe People First interim president Joice Mujuru have pledged to grace the PDP event.

The MDC-T has also said it will hold its 17th anniversary celebrations in the City of Kings later this month.

MDC-T deputy provincial chairperson, Gift Banda, yesterday said holding the celebrations in Bulawayo was a "way of thanking the people of the city for their love for the opposition party".

"When an opportunity arose to host this event, we, as Bulawayo province, asked to be considered to be the hosts and we were given that honour. It is an honour and privilege to host the celebrations. Bulawayo is the home of the MDC T," he said.

"The city has never disappointed the party and holding celebrations in Bulawayo is one way of honouring the people (of Bulawayo), who have always stood with the party since its formation."

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko last month triggered a political storm when he said Bulawayo remains under-developed and marginalised because the electorate was voting for wrong political parties.

Mphoko claimed opposition parties were taking advantage of Bulawayo residents' credulity, saying "any politician, who wants to launch his or her political party has a tendency of coming to Bulawayo first. We've the likes of Simba Makoni, Tendai Biti, Morgan Tsvangirai, Acie Lumumba and others, who have turned this city into their playground because they know you're easily carried away. In fact, they think you cannot do anything on your own."