President Mphoko to address final Masvingo star rally

ZANU-PF has intensified campaigns ahead of Saturday's Bikita West by-election with Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko set to headline the final star rally on Wednesday.

The Bikita West seat fell vacant following the incarceration of the constituency's MP Munyaradzi Kereke in July last year on rape charges.

Masvingo provincial acting chairman Amasa Nhenjana said they have also lined up a number of ward-based rallies.

He said preparations for the final star rally to be addressed by Acting President Mphoko on Wednesday are now at an advanced stage.

"We have done a lot of ground work to retain Bikita West. As I am speaking, there are a number of ward-based campaign rallies being held and on Wednesday next week we will have our Acting President Mphoko at Nyika Growth Point in Bikita for the final star rally.

"Remember we had the first star rally last week where the Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed thousands of supporters at Gwindingwi High School," said Nhenjana.

He said Zanu-PF's national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere will accompany Acting President Mphoko to Bikita.

"This will be the last star rally before the by-election on Saturday where we will urge all registered voters in Bikita West constituency to throng polling stations in their wards to cast their votes," Nhenjana said.

Bikita West Zanu-PF candidate Beauty Chabaya promised to address the issue of roads and improve education in her constituency if she is voted into Parliament.

"I promise my constituency that if I am voted to Parliament I will address the issue of the poor road network, improve education by making sure there is adequate furniture and computers. I will also facilitate the electrification of all schools so that they can be connected to the internet for easy access to information by pupils and teachers. The issue of boreholes to address water challenges will also be key," said Chabaya.

Five other candidates Mr Kudakwashe Gopo (ZimPF), Mr Heya Shoko (Independent), Mr Madock Chivasa (NCA), Mr Terence Tanyaradzwa Makumbo ( Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) and Mr Innocent Muzvimbiri (Independent) will contest in the by-election.