Zim vote amid heavy security

ZIMBABWE'S 6,4 million registered voters are todayexpected to elect a new Government that will lead the country for the next five years. It is interesting as the electorate goes to cast its vote to reflect on a few  developments leading to this watershed election, particularly in Matabeleland, a region dubbed as the country's political hot-bed.

Judging by what transpired during the massive campaigns by different political parties across the region, there seems to be much disillusionment on the electorate in terms of what and who to vote for.

This year's election, according to some observers, will be full of surprises mainly for MDC formations who, since the turn of the millennium, have been feasting on Matabeleland votes but the formations have been shooting themselves in the foot by failing to deliver.

Will history repeat itself this time around? One wonders.
If the turnout during Zanu-PF rallies and President Mugabe's star rallies in Matabeleland are anything to go by, then the MDCs and a host of other so-called political parties are not enjoying sleep because of the beckoning humiliating defeat tomorrow.

On 19 and 20 July the President addressed multitudes at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, Matabeleland North and Pelandaba Stadium in Matabeleland South, a confirmation of a rejuvenated Zanu-PF.

The crowd at Bulawayo's White City Stadium star rally on Saturday was even more significant that President Mugabe himself acknowledged the huge turnout.

"Thank you for coming in large numbers. This is the best meeting I have ever had in Bulawayo for a long time. Ngiyabonga kakhulu," said the President to rousing cheers.

On the contrary, MDC parties have been attracting the usual crowds while in some places especially in rural areas, their meetings flopped or were cancelled as people shunned them.

Ironically, some of the failed meetings included a series of planned rallies by MDC-T deputy president Ms Thokozani Khupe in areas like Bulilima and Umzingwane districts.

Even MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai's wife, Elizabeth, had a tough experience when the electorate in Binga snubbed her recently.
MDCs, according to the voters in Matabeleland, failed to deliver hence the dwindling support.

Surely how does the MDC-T for instance, people have asked, explain the turmoil that characterised its primary elections in the region?
Mr Tsvangirai himself is on record admitting that the party imposed several candidates in the region, mainly those who defected from the rival Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC in constituencies such as Nkayi South, Lupane East, Bulilima East and Umzingwane.

Will the party's supporters forgive their leaders for that?

As if that is not enough, squabbles within the MDC-T in Bulawayo left the electorate wondering if the party was really serious about taking over the reigns of power.

The emergence of the so-called MDC-T rebels and independent candidates, Messers Samuel Sandla Khumalo from Mpopoma-Pelandaba seat, Felix Mafa Sibanda in Magwegwe and Kidwell Mujuru in Luveve is obviously suicidal to MDC-T.

While Zanu-PF conducted well organised campaigns addressed by its candidates assisted by senior party leaders, MDC-T was battling to put its house in order.

Gripped by panic, MDCs, Zapu and other smaller parties were busy criss-crossing the region hoping to make a statement but could not match Zanu-PF's growing influence.

It is not surprising therefore, according to observers, that multitudes have severed ties with MDC and returned to Zanu-PF.

It would be unfair to conclude this analysis without highlighting issues tabled before the electorate during the campaigns.

The cheers and jubilation during President Mugabe's address at White City Stadium demonstrated that the President was spot-on in terms of grasp of the issues that give people sleepless nights.  The President gave Matabeleland hope of a brighter future, a future of revived industry, increased food production, job creation through the historic home-grown indigenisation and empowerment programme that is set to enhance living standards on a long term.

On the other hand it is an open secret that some parties were found wanting when it came to addressing bread and butter issues during their campaign meetings.

Instead candidates from some parties focused on trivial personal matters  and expended their energies on attacking individuals instead of explaining their policies and programmes to the electorate.

As the nation goes to vote tomorrow, people from Matabeleland are bitter about the failures exhibited by the MDC-dominated councils and ministers during the last four years of the Inclusive Government.

Water shortage problems and increased debts, poor health care and closure of industries are all blamed on MDCs which held key ministries in the inclusive Government such as that of Finance, Industry and Commerce and others.

Sound, credible and honest leadership is what people from Matabeleland and the entire nation are demanding.