Tsholotsho candidate alleges vote-buying ahead of by-election

An independent candidate contesting the Ward 1 by-election in Tsholotsho has accused Zanu PF of engaging in vote-buying and voter intimidation ahead of Saturday's polls, allegations the ruling party has dismissed.

Solani Mlilo, who is challenging Zanu PF candidate Lindiwe Mkwananzi in the June 20 by-election, claimed her campaign posters were vandalised and villagers were being induced with food handouts in a bid to influence the outcome of the election.

Speaking to Southern Eye, Mlilo said she discovered that her campaign posters had been torn down at Samahuru School and the nearby business centre, while posters belonging to her rival remained untouched.

"During my campaign at Samahuru school and business centre, I discovered that my posters were torn down. My head was defaced, leaving only the colour of my dress," Mlilo said.

"If it was an individual who had nothing to do with certain candidates, they would have destroyed both posters. But in my case, my posters were the ones targeted, leaving the other candidate's intact. This was a deliberate move."

Mlilo further alleged that ruling party activists were distributing 5kg bags of rice to households in Muzimunye village as part of a vote-buying campaign.

"They are using vote-buying as a political tool," she claimed.

The independent candidate also accused traditional leaders of being used to influence voters by promoting the ruling party and discouraging support for opposition or independent candidates.

According to Mlilo, some villagers have been told that development projects only come through Zanu PF representatives and that councillors from outside the ruling party are not recognised by government institutions.

An audio recording circulating on social media, purportedly featuring a traditional leader campaigning for Zanu PF, allegedly claims that opposition councillors are excluded from key government offices and decision-making processes.

However, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and Zanu PF provincial chairperson Richard Moyo rejected suggestions that the ruling party was behind the vandalism.

"Those should be individuals doing that, not the party," Moyo said.

"If any candidate is caught doing such, we will disqualify the person."

Moyo described the allegations as part of the tensions that often accompany election campaigns, saying local political rivalries frequently result in accusations and counter-accusations.

Election officials say no formal complaints have yet been submitted through the established electoral channels.

Nomination officer Phanankosi Mpofu said his office had not received any official reports regarding violence, intimidation or campaign misconduct.

"We have not received any concerns so far," Mpofu said.

"We have a reporting structure called the Multiparty Liaison Committee where all contesting candidates are part. We expect such reports to reach my office through that structure."

He added that authorities would nevertheless investigate the allegations.

"Nevertheless, we are going to investigate the matter so that such concerns are addressed," Mpofu said.

The by-election is scheduled for June 20, with voters in Ward 1 expected to choose between the independent candidate and the ruling party representative in what has become a closely watched local contest.

The allegations come amid ongoing concerns from civil society organisations and election observers over the need to ensure a level playing field, prevent voter intimidation and guarantee free and fair electoral processes in local government elections.