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Zanu-PF goes big on Nkulumane vote buying
2 hrs ago |
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THE ruling Zanu PF party has rushed to install some of the Jojo tanks and solar panels at boreholes drilled in Nkulumane constituency, ahead of today's by-election.
The move was construed as countering claims that it would withdraw its 50 Jojo tanks and solar panels it had delivered to the constituency in the event it loses in today's by-elections.
Workers were observed installing Jojo tanks and solar panels just a few metres from Mandwandwe High School and a stone's throw from Mgombane Base Station, with a billboard of President Emmerson Mnangagwa being mounted close to one of the sites.
Zanu PF Bulawayo spokesperson Archibold Chiponda said earlier claims by candidates from other parties that the donation of Jojo tanks and solar panels constituted vote-buying and that the same would be withdrawn in the even the ruling party loses were "fake and unfounded".
Freedom Murechu, for Zanu PF, is running for the seat.
Other candidates include the late MP Decide Moyo's widow, Esther Auxillia Zitha, comedian Mothusi "Madlela" Ndlovu representing the SengezoTshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Ethel Sibanda (MDC T), Vivian Viyo Siziba(Zapu) and Alson Moyo (EFF Zimbabwe).
Nompilo Ncube Malala is contesting under the Zimbabwe African National Congress ticket.
There are two independent candidates, Rodney Donovan Jele and Mbuso Fuzwayo, the secretary-general of Ibhetshu Lika Zulu.
Chiponda said the installation of the Jojo tanks and solar panels at boreholes was underway, a development which he said poured cold water on the claims made by their contenders.
He said the installations have been done in three sites, one at Bulet Shopping centre, the other at Nketa 6 and the other one close to Oneness Pentecostal church.
"If people visit Nkulumane constituency, the will see that we have already started delivering on the drilling of boreholes and the setting up of the sole water kiosk even before the election,"Chiponda said.
"It's quite mischievous for someone to suggest that the Jojo tanks delivery was a political gimmick type of water provision strategy.
"Water provision is a basic human right in terms of service delivery.It's unfortunate that Bulawayo has been under a city council that had not prioritised service delivery.
"So this a sign of us stepping in.This is a sign of our candidate Murechu stepping in and trying to make change in a community he grew up in."
He hoped that residents would understand that all what Murechu was doing was trying to assist them and support his bid to be an MP.
Chiponda's remarks came a few days after opposition candidates accused his party of vote-buying and conditional development ahead of today's parliamentary by-election.
"That's another way of buying voters by Zanu PF," Thamsanqa Ncube, Fuzwayo's campaign leader, had said, suggesting Murechu was "trying to avoid the costs of uninstalling the Jojo tanks after his defeat".
Siziba, the Zapu candidate,described the action as "vote buying of first class order", which she said putother candidates at a disadvantage.
Murechu has been the most visible in the constituency because of the ruling party's financial muscle with support coming from as far as its headquarters in Harare.
At a rally a fortnight ago, Zanu PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha and special adviser to the President, Paul Tungwarara, unveiled a US$100 000 constituency revolving fund, promised solar-powered boreholes, and announced a scholarship fund for Nkulumane.
The event also saw the handover of computers and Starlink internet kits to local schools by Information Communication Technology minister TatendaMavetera.
Zanu PF youth secretaryTinoMachakaire told the rally that it was time for Nkulumane "to eat", just like what others in Harare were doing.
The move was construed as countering claims that it would withdraw its 50 Jojo tanks and solar panels it had delivered to the constituency in the event it loses in today's by-elections.
Workers were observed installing Jojo tanks and solar panels just a few metres from Mandwandwe High School and a stone's throw from Mgombane Base Station, with a billboard of President Emmerson Mnangagwa being mounted close to one of the sites.
Zanu PF Bulawayo spokesperson Archibold Chiponda said earlier claims by candidates from other parties that the donation of Jojo tanks and solar panels constituted vote-buying and that the same would be withdrawn in the even the ruling party loses were "fake and unfounded".
Freedom Murechu, for Zanu PF, is running for the seat.
Other candidates include the late MP Decide Moyo's widow, Esther Auxillia Zitha, comedian Mothusi "Madlela" Ndlovu representing the SengezoTshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Ethel Sibanda (MDC T), Vivian Viyo Siziba(Zapu) and Alson Moyo (EFF Zimbabwe).
Nompilo Ncube Malala is contesting under the Zimbabwe African National Congress ticket.
There are two independent candidates, Rodney Donovan Jele and Mbuso Fuzwayo, the secretary-general of Ibhetshu Lika Zulu.
Chiponda said the installation of the Jojo tanks and solar panels at boreholes was underway, a development which he said poured cold water on the claims made by their contenders.
He said the installations have been done in three sites, one at Bulet Shopping centre, the other at Nketa 6 and the other one close to Oneness Pentecostal church.
"If people visit Nkulumane constituency, the will see that we have already started delivering on the drilling of boreholes and the setting up of the sole water kiosk even before the election,"Chiponda said.
"It's quite mischievous for someone to suggest that the Jojo tanks delivery was a political gimmick type of water provision strategy.
"Water provision is a basic human right in terms of service delivery.It's unfortunate that Bulawayo has been under a city council that had not prioritised service delivery.
"So this a sign of us stepping in.This is a sign of our candidate Murechu stepping in and trying to make change in a community he grew up in."
He hoped that residents would understand that all what Murechu was doing was trying to assist them and support his bid to be an MP.
Chiponda's remarks came a few days after opposition candidates accused his party of vote-buying and conditional development ahead of today's parliamentary by-election.
"That's another way of buying voters by Zanu PF," Thamsanqa Ncube, Fuzwayo's campaign leader, had said, suggesting Murechu was "trying to avoid the costs of uninstalling the Jojo tanks after his defeat".
Siziba, the Zapu candidate,described the action as "vote buying of first class order", which she said putother candidates at a disadvantage.
Murechu has been the most visible in the constituency because of the ruling party's financial muscle with support coming from as far as its headquarters in Harare.
At a rally a fortnight ago, Zanu PF national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha and special adviser to the President, Paul Tungwarara, unveiled a US$100 000 constituency revolving fund, promised solar-powered boreholes, and announced a scholarship fund for Nkulumane.
The event also saw the handover of computers and Starlink internet kits to local schools by Information Communication Technology minister TatendaMavetera.
Zanu PF youth secretaryTinoMachakaire told the rally that it was time for Nkulumane "to eat", just like what others in Harare were doing.
Source - The Independent
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