Vote Zanu-PF, chief tells villagers

Chief Andrew Bvute of Mberengwa, Midlands has ordered his subjects to vote for the ruling Zanu-PF party in next year's polls.

The Mberengwa chief said this last week during commemorations of the International Day of Peace at Vanguard Mine.

He declared his love for Zanu-PF and urged people to register to vote and vote for the ruling party.

"To those who have not registered to vote, please do so and vote for the party that I love a lot — that is, Zanu-PF," Chief Bvute said.

"Zanu-PF is the party of choice and I urge you all to vote for it."

He said people without national identity cards would be assisted to get the documents so that they register to vote.

The Mberengwa chief's utterances came as civic society organisations (CSOs) and opposition political parties have been accusing traditional leaders of being partisan in favour of the ruling party.

The national Constitution forbids traditional leaders from being partisan.

In past elections, CSOs have accused traditional leaders of force-marching their subjects to vote for Zanu-PF.

Last month, Zanu-PF party second secretary Kembo Mohadi pleaded with traditional leaders to vote for the ruling party during one of his countrywide tour of provinces.

Chiefs have been pampered with vehicles and their homes connected to the national electricity power grid by the Zanu-PF-led administration.