ZAKA – The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Shuvai Mahofa last week told the people who gathered at the official opening of Murerezi Bridge that the government was full of corrupt people and the President was surrounded by thieves who were only concerned with self-enrichment.
Addressing people while seated as has become usual due to ill health, Mahofa said God should open Mugabe’s eyes so that he could see the rot that surrounds him and how it is affecting the economy.
She accused the government of squandering money at the expense of worthy causes like supporting the District Development Fund (DDF) which can create jobs for rural Zanu PF supporters.
“Mugabe akakombwa nembavha! Dai Mwari avavhura maziso vaona mbava idzi adzibvisa dzese, (Mugabe is surrounded by thieves and God should open his eyes so that he can see). All the money being stolen should be channelled to DDF where there are real supporters of Zanu PF,” she said.
She pleaded with the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) and policy makers to fund important government organs like DDF so that roads can be maintained for the benefit of Zanu PF supporters.
Leaders should put money where it will be put to good use. ZINARA should give a percentage to DDF annually because it is implementing ZimAsset in the rural areas,” Mahofa said.
She praised DDF saying there has been no case of corruption in the fund unlike in some ‘fake’ ministries which she accused of being overridden by corruption and looting.
Speaking in Bulawayo recently, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no ‘big fish’ will be arrested if there is no evidence although it is clear that no evidence will be gathered against high level corruption due to the Zanu PF patronage system.
Mahofa, however, attacked ‘sleeping’ MPs and urged voters to remove them and replace them with competent ones.
“Kana MP asina zvaakamboita zvaakambotidanirawo munzvimbo make, bvisai, (If there is nothing the MP can show to his name, remove him). Imi maMP mofanira kushanda, MP idhongii revanhu. (MPs must work hard, they are the people’s servants), but if you do nothing you will be removed,” she said.

She nevertheless described DDF Permanent Secretary, James Jonga and the Provincial Coordinator, Marasa Gutukunuwa as practical men who put their words into practice.
“Jonga is a man of his word, if he promises anything we are sure it will be done. Gutukunuwa is our doctor, he is the one who led the building of toilets in Zaka, and he is as hard working as his boss,” she said.
Zaka East legislator, Samson Mukanduri urged ZINARA to direct more money towards infrastructural projects in rural areas.news

Itai Muzondo

MASVINGO – The Joyce Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First (Zim PF), which is less than a year old, is facing another dilemma with its Masvingo provincial leadership torn apart by disagreements over whether the party should contest in the Bikita West parliamentary by-election to replace Munyaradzi Kereke.
A faction reportedly led by Retired Colonel Claudius Makova has since nominated Kudakwashe Gopo as a candidate to contest in the by-election on a ZimPF ticket.
Another faction, which is allegedly rallying behind Dzikamai Mavhaire’s leadership, is however criticising the move saying time is not yet ripe for the party to participate in electoral processes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Gopo said it made no sense that a party is formed yet fails to take part in elections as if there are no eligible candidates.
“I don’t know why some of our colleagues want to deny us a chance to take part in elections. In my opinion, we have a great chance of winning this seat judging by the performance of the MDC-T performance in this constituency in the 2013 elections.
“How can we say we have formed a political party and yet fail to contest in elections? Wouldn’t it be like forming a football team, going for training but only to sit in the terraces during match time?” Gopo said.
“Lack of electoral reforms does not stop us from contesting. Pressure for reforms must be exerted as we fight the system from within. We also have an added advantage because the party’s first grassroots structures in the province were formed in this constituency so we have a lot of support,” he added.
If Zim PF contests in the by-election, it will be the fledgling party’s first time to take part in an election.
Zim PF Provincial spokesperson, Retired Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi, however, professed ignorance over the issue and said the idea to contest was reached against the will of all party members.
“What by-election? I am not aware of it because as a province, we did not agree to take part in the by-election. We are against contesting any election for now as agreed by all opposition parties under the National Electorate Reforms Agenda (NERA). I think you can get comment from Makova and company who bulldozed their way and made those arrangements,” Mbudzi said.
No opposition political party has won any by-election in the country since 2013, compelling opposition parties to boycott elections until government implements electoral reforms.
When asked for comment, political analyst, Vince Musewe criticised Zim PF for contradicting what they purportedly stand for.
“It doesn’t make any sense. They are simply contradicting themselves. If they take part in the by-election and win, what would they do next? Is this the only constituency they need? Would they have done justice to win only one seat and sacrifice everything else?” Musewe said.news