Mphoko launches Zanu-PF campaign in Bulawayo

VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday launched the Zanu-PF campaign in Bulawayo, holding rallies at three of the five constituencies where by-elections will be held on 10 June. VP Mphoko held the rallies in Makokoba, Luveve and Njube-Lobengula constituencies. In these constituencies, Zanu-PF will be represented by  Tshinga Dube, Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo and Maidei Mpala respectively.

In launching the campaign, VP Mphoko called on the people of Bulawayo to vote wisely and help bring the city back into the hands of the ruling party.

He said the city was suffering a great deal from the past mistakes that had seen people vote for the MDC-T, which he said was bringing no joy to the city.

"Bulawayo has been destroyed, factories have shut down; worse still we have people who come from other provinces paying people in Bulawayo to cause confusion, influencing them wrongly. What we don't realise is that these people are only interested in destroying Bulawayo because with a weakened Bulawayo they can increase their political and economic influence.

"It is really worrying that people are now using us willy-nilly, we have turned into the laughing stock of the whole country. Yes, I understand that the people of Bulawayo are angry but the truth is we are angry at ourselves," said VP Mphoko.

He said people had to realise that Zanu-PF was the ruling party and it became difficult for the party to fully develop the city knowing that it was in the hands of the opposition.

"Today we should ask ourselves why we are poor, why we are suffering or why our industries are closed - it is because of us and the way we vote. You can never expect someone from MDC-T or any other opposition to push the Bulawayo agenda when we all know that they are sell-outs.

"That is why today I am begging you all to turn up in your numbers and vote for the Zanu-PF candidates. We should really consider ourselves lucky that the Lord has availed us this opportunity of the by-elections. Let us therefore utilise it and rectify our past mistakes," said the Vice President.

He also encouraged people to take advantage of the voter registration period which is coming to an end on Tuesday and register to vote so that come June 10, people will be able to take part in the elections and vote for the candidate of their choice.

"I know that in the past most people in the city failed to vote because they did not have identity documents, which is why we have said that at voter registration points people can also be able to get the identity documents which will then enable them to register.

"We really don't want a situation that while we address rallies with high numbers attending, the majority of those people are not registered to vote," he said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President also took the opportunity to announce his new initiative of availing loans to women's co-operatives in Bulawayo, calling on women in the city to come together and pen viable project proposals.

He appointed former Matabeleland South governor, Senator Angeline Masuku as the overseer of the fund and the co-operatives.

Also present at the rallies were the two candidates for Luveve and Lobengula; Mlilo and Mpala, Politiburo member Absalom Sikhosana, Zanu-PF acting chairperson for Bulawayo Dennis Ndlovu and Masuku among other senior Zanu-PF officials.

Tomorrow the Vice President will hold rallies in Pumula and Mpopoma-Pelandaba constituencies.