Decide Nhendo

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Masvingo West aspiring parliamentary candidate has raised concern over CCC poster vandalism in his constituency.
Speaking during a press conference held recently in Masvingo Urban, Pedzisai Gasva said there were political opponents in Masvingo West and other constituencies who had a tendency of tearing campaigning posters placed at different points.
“We put our campaign posters to make the public aware of our party vision and party representatives, but there are some who are moving around destroying them”, said Gasva.
In trying to solve the problem of poster Gasva said they are placing their posters at higher places so those who want to destroy or tear the posters won’t reach them easily,”
He said however, the vandalizers had devised a new strategy also and were using stones to destroy the posters.
“There is a certain group of people who are now throwing stones to tear and remove posters which are out of their reach,” said Gasva
He also said the problem was rife in the entire constituency especially in areas like Bhuka and other areas within his constituency.
Gasva and Masvingo Urban aspiring MP Martin Mureri were recently arrested after they held a road show campaign in Masvingo Urban.

…Political parties are free to campaign anywhere

Beverly Bizeki

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga preached peace at Chinorumba High School in Zaka last weekend saying everyone was free to campaign everywhere as long as they do it peacefully.
Mnangagwa said it was everyone’s responsibility to promote peace through campaigning peacefully without dividing people.
“Every political party is allowed to campaign wherever they want but must do so peacefully uniting people not dividing people. The difference is that Zanu PF has the burden of maintaining the gains of the liberation struggle,” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa said Citizens Coalition for Change and other political parties are free to campaign but must maintain peace during, before and after elections.
“What we want from them is to hold their campaigns in peace, we want a peaceful election campaign before, during and after this harmonized elections. We want peace across the country.
Mnangagwa also said the ruling party is democratic and are aware of what they want.
“We are a peaceful people but we do not accept hate speech, we accept that people may have different views and that is democracy. We know democracy because we Zanu PF brought democracy, independence and sovereignty to Zimbabwe, we are the masters of democracy, and no one under the sun can ever teach us democracy.
“We are professors of democracy so we must be understood, those who think that they can teach us democracy can jump into the sea and leave us alone.
We know what we want and at what time of the day and at what time of the night, we are solid, we are united we will march forward, Zanu PF is unstoppable,” said Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the same event, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga urged attendants at the rally to maintain peace until the elections.
“I want you to maintain the peace that you are showing us here. Continue with that until the day we cast our votes as we vote for our president.
“Hazvichisiri zvekumhanya kunokwira mumakoronga kana kukwira mumakomo, izvi hazviburitse ziya hazvidi kutakura AK kana bhandiriya hapana kungoenda ende hautakure penzura itoriko kudhara chako itsoka dzako mbiri kungofamba wonotsepetera ipapo kwakudzoka kumba, we want peace, we want unity,” said Chiwenga.
However, Zanu PF is accused of perpetuating violence IN Masvingo Province with a number of CCC members being victimized in Gutu District.
A number of opposition rallies were stopped by Police citing different reasons including shortage of manpower to cover the rallies.

Brighton Chiseva

ZAKA – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sensationally claimed he gave the Chinese miners in Zimbabwe a last chance to beneficiate minerals before export or he boot them out.
He said Zimbabwe was making strides in mending relations with the West with a policy of making Zimbabwe an enemy to none but friend to all.
He made the claim while addressing a rally at Chinorumba High School in Zaka Central on Sunday (July 16) and said he had recently warned the Chinese who are mining lithium at Bikita Minerals with expulsion for failure to abide by rules.
He said the Chinese were smuggling lithium ore at night and when it was discovered he called them to state house where he gave them last warning.
“The Chinese were mining our minerals and taking them out without beneficiating them and we said no. They started smuggling them at night taking out ore without our knowledge. Our people discovered them and I called the Chinese to State House,”
“I did not give them a chance to sit, I addressed them whilst they were standing. I asked them and they admitted. I told them that it was their last warning and if they do that again I will kick them out,” said Mnangagwa.
He went on to say Zimbabwe was an enemy to none and friend to all saying the second republic was making strides in mending relations with the west.
He said he had met with Tony Blair and discussed about removing sanctions and said he was now busy talking to other people in England to address the issue.
“I met Tony Blair and I asked him if he was against me as he was with former President Mugabe and he said no. So I asked him to address the issue before he dies and he is busy addressing the issue.
A Chinese mining company recently took over Bikita Minerals and is mining Lithium.
In May this year over 3500 tons of lithium ore was intercepted in Masvingo.
17 suspects were arrested over the matter and the mining giant was forced to briefly suspend operations.

….As political violence gets worse in Masvingo

TellZim Reporter

MWENEZI – As political violence hots up in Masvingo province and beyond, Former Zanu PF Central Committee Member, Tafadzwa Shumba, who is contesting Mwenezi West as an independent candidate had his campaign vehicle, a Toyota GD6, seized at gunpoint on July 19, by suspected gun wielding State security agents, TellZim News has learnt.
After the incident, the vehicle was driven towards Chirindi area where it was found the on following day (July) 20 burnt to ashes near Tsungirirai Secondary School.
Shumba confirmed the incident to TellZim News via telephone immediately after the alleged hijack, saying he was not in the vehicle when the incident happened but he was certain that the suspects were Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents who were on a mission to stop him from representing Mwenezi West people.
“The armed men were clearly looking for me and fortunately I had been warned to be on alert and was not in the vehicle. When they cornered my campaign team’s vehicle they pointed their guns to the occupants asking of my whereabouts and my men managed to escape and informed me,” said Shumba
He said a grey vehicle without registration numbers blocked his car and four men jumped and surrounded his car which had seven occupants.
“They managed to escape leaving the keys in the ignition. There were ladies among the occupants who could not run away and they were told to disembark from the vehicle before the suspects got in and drove off,” said Shumba
Shumba said he reported the incident to the police soon after it happened and even briefed the Dispol and suspects that it was his main rivalry Priscilla Zindari Moyo whom he contested and lost to in an unclear way during the party primaries.
Shumba contested as independent after he felt severely cheated in the party primary elections won by incumbent legislator, Moyo who is wife to CIO Director-General Isaac Moyo.
Contacted for comment, Moyo said she was not linked to the incident in any way as she is a peace loving person.
“On the day in question i we had our own programme and we were busy transporting people from Maranda and other areas. I am a peace loving person so I cannot be accused of perpetuating violence in my constituency,” said Moyo
She said it was actually him who is violelnt and is bitter that he lost during primaries and is now pointing anything bad that happens to him to her.
“I won in 2018 there and there was no violence. It only started now after he contested as independent. There is one person who is in hospital after being assaulted by his people and maybe his enemies are responsible for the incident but he wants to accuse me because he is bitter that I defeated him in the primary election,” said Moyo.
Another candidate is Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Brilliant Chifumuro.
Contesting on an independent ticket for former Zanu PF cadres is seemingly becoming deadly as witnessed by the recent controversial death of Gutu West Independent candidate Mutonhori Rwodzi who perished in an obscure car accident.
A number of political violence have been recorded in Gutu and Bikita district where opposition members are allegedly suffering at the hands of Zanu PF.

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo UrbanConstituency Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring candidate and human rights lawyer Martin Mureri has vowed to consider the plight of women by forming a women constituency cluster to focus on the challenges women face once elected into office.
Speaking at a meet your candidate press discussion organized by TellZim News on July 7, 2023 at Chevron Hotel Masvingo, Mureri said the cluster aims at bringing together women from all political parties to work on gender equality.
“When we get into power, we want to come up with a women constituency cluster, which will include all women to work together achieve gender equality.
“The cluster is to come up with laws that enables the realization of 50-50 (equality) where for instance political parties will be required to ensure equal representation and failure to that may result in a party failing to contest in elections,” said Mureri.
Mureri also said he will advocate for the formation of development committees which will be responsible for identifying areas needing attention when using devolution funds and constituency development funds for accountability purposes.
“We intend to set up a development committee, inclusive of all parties involving people from all walks of life to come up with development ideas for our constituency. They are the ones who will tell us where devolution or CDF funds should be directed,” said Mureri.
Asked if he would sign a pledge that he will live up to his word on forming women constituency cluster and other promises he was making, Mureri agreed and said people were also free to come and get a copy of his manifesto which they will use to measure whether he is fulfilling his promises once elected.
“I agree and if you had the pledge here I would have signed, I advise you to bring it at my offices. All those who need my Manifesto are also free to come and get it at my offices.
The meeting was also attended by ZANU PF Masvingo urban member Wellington Mahwende who was represented by Youth League Secretary for Administration Charles Munganasa, Independent candidate and Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke and CCC Masvingo South aspiring member Knowledge Mabvuure.

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Mayor who is vying for Masvingo Urban seat as independent candidate Collen Maboke told Masvingo Urban residents that he was the best option for MP since he will be answerable only to the people unlike others who are whipped by their parties.
Speaking during a meet your candidate Press Discussion organized by TellZim News recently at Chevron Hotel, Maboke said an independent candidate was what Masvingo Urban needed as it makes him answerable only to them unlike others who are under the whipping system in political parties.
Maboke, who decided to go as independent after being disqualified in the Citizens Coalition (CCC) for Change nomination process, was responding to a question by one resident on how he was going to be held accountable since he was not representing any political party, Maboke said being an independent makes him answerable to voters than being entangled in party politics.
“In terms of accountability, I am the best because I am coming from the people, I am accountable to the people and not a party so I make decisions basing on what the people want. I serve the interests of the people not a party’s interests,” said Maboke.
Maboke said he will be a representative for all, and was keen in pushing issues to do with inclusion of all marginalized groups saying as mayor he had facilitated for an office for them downstairs since the council offices were not user friendly.
“During my time as Masvingo City Mayor, I made sure PWDs have access to the mayor’s office and other officials at council by making sure that council avails an office downstairs.
“I had discovered that it was difficult for them to see the Mayor, Town Clerk or other council managers whose offices are upstairs and there is no lift,” said Maboke.
Maboke who mainly talks of policy change and formulation said there was need for amendment of the electoral act.
He said if elected he will look into the urban council’s act which he said needed to be repealed to promote service delivery.
“The urban councils act needs to be amended, firstly it has to be amended on the Ministers’ powers to give directives to council, council has to be independent from the minister’s authority.
“We also want to give executive powers to mayors and councilors because some decisions made by councilors are not implemented because they lack the executive powers to make decisions,” said Maboke.
Other presenters at the discussion include Human Rights Lawyer Martin Mureri representing Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), ZANU PF Masvingo urban aspiring member Wellington Mahwende represented by Zanu PF provincial youth secretary for administration Charles Munganasa and CCC Masvingo South aspiring candidate Knowledge Mabvuure
The representatives from the other parties also told citizens what they intend to do when they get in power.

Tinaani Nyabereka/ Yeukai Munetsi

Gweru- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring candidate for, Gweru Urban, Josiah Makombe has said if he make it on August 23, his election into the National Assembly will be a developmental milestone for Gweru constituency.
The Former, Mayor, and who is the current ward 2 councillor said, his task towards saving the people was huge as he know the core needs for Gweru people.
“I successfully filed my nomination papers with the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC), and I did this for Gweru constituency and for Zimbabwe as I have much work to do in stirring change towards attaining a better Zimbabwe”.
“The Mps we were having in Gweru were not forthcoming in addressing much, as a councillor I have been in the chambers and have been working with other policy makers and people on daily basis. So for me going to the National Assembly, I know that am expected to advocate for formulation of polices and laws which transform the wellbeing Gweru people,” said Makombe
He said his main target was amending the Urban Council’s act which he said was hindering development and the operations of local authorities.
“My main worry is the Urban Councils Act as a Policy, it limits the flexibility of councils including my own council Gweru in fully availing services to the people. Full autonomy is supposed to be given to the councillors to play their oversight role on policy.
“How do we expect council to provide adequate water supply, when we have a bureaucratic channel of authority. If councillors pass a resolution they expect that resolution to be implemented, but before implementing managed is expected to brief the minister who has the final say. So as long council is run in such a manner don’t expect service delivery to improve since are resources are controlled by a higher power than the council itself,” said Makombe
Makombe said, as an aspiring candidate he was proud to have served Gweru residents as a councillor and is willing to make strides towards improving the Gweru Urban.
“As CCC we want to restore executive mayors in council for good service delivery, we want to improve Gweru make it the hub of the nation in terms of business and economic growth. Gweru as our capital city will drive the growth of the industry and commerce.
“I am not superhuman, am a child you are sending to represent you, to lay you concerns, to speak your minds as my parents. Development is driven by you the Gweru people, let’s build our Gweru together, our Nation together,” Makombe added.
He said if elected, as MP he was going to push for developmental policies which calls for equal resource distribution.
“We need a country were constituencies are developed by their own resources. Devolution must be practical not only theoretical. Midlands is rich with minerals, we want these minerals to address the welfare of midlands constituencies.
“We want policies which speak to adequate health services for ordinary citizens. People must not suffer at the hand of a handful people who want to eat or benefit alone.” Said Makombe.
Makombe lamented the unevenness of the electoral playing field which he said was not conducive for all.
“The electoral field is not fair, people must cast their votes without intimidation. How can we say we have a fair field when political supporters of opposition parties are being harassed for freely attending rallies, what about voting?,” he said.