Karimakwenda confident of win in by-election

HARARE - Independent candidate for Dzivaresekwa constituency, Herman Karimakwenda, has expressed confidence ahead of the June 10 parliamentary elections despite challenges faced in the run-up towards the election day.

Karimakwenda, 39 joined politics 16years ago, having joined the MDC at its formation in 1999. He held several posts in the party rising to the position of Secretary for Health and Child Welfare in Harare Province.

He was elected and served the people of Ward 40, Dzivarasekwa, as their Councillor from 2008 to July 2013 under the MDC.

However, his campaigns for the parliamentary by-elections this year were affected, in connection with other opposition candidates by violence and vandalism from the ruling party Zanu PF.

"We have not been able to hold rallies due to the culture of violence and intimidation shown by the ruling party against their opponents," he said, "We have had our posters torn by ZANU PF hooligans recently, what does that reflect on our democracy. I am confident that I will defeat Zanu PF and the other candidates come 10 June."

Karimakwenda has been engaging the community via door to door campaigns with his campaigning team. According to a press release by the Coalition of Independent Candidates, they did this in order to protect their supporters from violence and intimidation by violent ZANU PF, which has a history of beating up or even killing opposition supporters.

Asked on what he is offering to the people of Dzivaresekwa, the former Ward 40 Councillor had this to say

"Servant Leadership, leadership that puts People First in everything.
Leadership that listens to peoples concerns and acts according to the aspirations of the people. Principled leadership that has zero tolerance for Corruption.

"I stand for Economic Transformation, Broad based empowerment, Electoral reforms, respect for, and the implementation of all constitutional provisions and Service delivery.

"I believe the Country should, economically, reflect the resources that God endowed us as a nation. We have to look like a country that has vast resources from diamonds to platinum and a hardworking people. In short, we have to position this country to be forward looking, to take it's rightful place in the league of nations.

"I believe in uniting people because it's the cornerstone for development. Through unity of purpose we can develop our community hence the creation, transparently of a Constituency Development Committee that will spearhead development of the Constituency."

He is competing against Happison Chikova (African Democratic Party), Washington Madure (DARE), Enock Mafigu (Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn), Peter Mukuchamano (National Constitutional Assembly), Cosmas Benjamin (Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe),
Ngonidzashe Chandiwana Shiri (Transform Zimbabwe), Omega Hungwe (Zanu-PF) and Saul Tore (independent)