Heya Shoko
Beauty Chabaya
Kudakwashe Gopo
Itai Muzondo
BIKITA – As Bikita West by-election to replace jailed Munyaradzi Kereke draws closer, election candidates have pleaded with voters to support them in claiming the vacant M.P’s post which is up for grabs.
The by-election, which has been set for January 21, 2017, will see six candidates vying for the seat.
The six are Beauty Chabaya (Zanu PF), Kudakwashe Gopo (Zim PF), Madock Chivasa (NCA), Terrence Tanyaradzwa Makumbo (RDZ), Heya Shoko (Independent) and Innocent Muzvimbiri (Independent).
In a series of interviews, TellZim News asked the candidates what they would tell voters on their last day of campaigning and varying answers were obtained.
“I will simply tell voters that if they want to eradicate corruption, they should vote for me. I have spelled that out clearly on my posters by telling potential voters that ‘say no to corruption by voting I. Muzvimbiri,” said independent candidate Innocent Muzvimbiri.
“I will also make it clear to them that I am church going leader who is God fearing. This would be a true indication that I am the Lord’s servant whom people would least expect to go wayward,” Muzvimbiri added.
Heya Shoko, an independent candidate who won the seat as an MDC-T candidate in 2008, said he would simply urge voters to choose wisely.
“My message for this election is clear and I will stick to that to the last day I will meet up with voters. The message is that they should vote wisely, to vote for someone who has worked within the opposition since 1999. I will give emphasis on the need for voters to distrust dubious candidates who would pull a Themba Mliswa once elected,” he said.
Youthful Zim PF candidate; Kudakwashe Gopo said he would simply commit himself to be a voter’s servant.
“If people elect you into power they expect you to be a good servant. I will therefore commit myself to be a people’s servant, I will tell them that I will do as they command me. I will also urge people to be respectful of their leaders and leaders to be humble as they are key characteristics of people in a successful community,” Gopo said.
Zanu PF candidate, Beauty Chabaya, who said she was the voters favourite, was not forthcoming when this reporter called her.
“I am in good touch with voters, I think I am the favorite…I need time on that one (referring to the question on what would be her message to voters on the last day she meets them before election). I am currently occupied with some work,” said uncertain Chabaya before her mobile phone continuously went unanswered.
Chivasa and Makumbo were also not available for comment as their phones went unanswered.news
