Mnangagwa blasts vote buying politicians

ZANU-PF candidate for Chirumanzu-Zibagwe Constituency Auxilia Mnangagwa yesterday called on voters in her constituency not to be taken for a ride by fly by night politicians who are reportedly buying their votes for as little as a dollar.

Addressing Zanu-PF party supporters as she wound up her campaign rallies ahead of the March 27 by-election at Ward 31, Mugagawu District, Sherwood in Kwekwe, Mnangagwa said vote buying was a clear indication of failure.

She said she was going to assist voters in Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency to use their hands to benefit their families, community and the country at large.

"Yes I hear in Lalapanzi villagers were given a dollar each as part of vote buying by one of the candidates. I don't want to talk about her but it's a sad situation to disrespect them like that. Buying a vote for a dollar? I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to buy any votes from the people. They must see the works that I've done for them and what I'm capable of doing for them once they elect me on March 27," said Mnangagwa.

She called on the people to vote for Zanu-PF — a party she said had a rich history from the liberation struggle to date.

"Let's go out there and protect the party from the enemy. Yes we might be facing some problems but there's a black hand at play so that we all say the Zanu-PF government has failed. But together we can work together and develop our families, our constituency and our country," Mnangagwa said.

She said come March 27, the villagers should go in numbers and help the party retain the seat that was won by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

She urged women to encourage their husbands to also go in numbers to vote for her.

"When VP Mnangagwa was campaigning for this seat, I was by his side. I was with him and I know that we're capable of winning this seat this time. So I call on you to please vote for me. Once you vote for me there will be continuity in terms of programmes which you were doing with VP Mnangagwa. I know them and will continue working with you for the development of this constituency," said Mnangagwa.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa officially opened a house that was constructed by a villager, Bridget Marange Muchenje, using money from a community bank — Sherwood Women Farmers' Bank — of which she is the patron.

Muchenje constructed a three-bedroomed house, a toilet, bought goats, cattle and a car using money she borrowed at low interest from the community bank.

Mnangagwa said it was her dream to see women working for themselves without depending on anyone.

"The community banks are working wonders for the villagers and I want to see even orphans that have reached majority age joining them so that they've somewhere to start," she said.

The project coordinator, Perseverance Zhou - another beneficiary of the community bank - said Auxilia Mnangagwa mooted the idea of a community bank which saw villagers and female police officers saving money which they would in turn loan out to each other to develop themselves.

Zhou said under the watchful eye of Mnangagwa, the Midlands province now had 13 community banks which she said were uplifting the livelihoods of women and children.

"We're now proud owners of homes, movable and immovable properties because of the community banks started by Auxilia Mnangagwa. We're truly grateful to her and we want more and more women to join so that their lives are uplifted," she said.