Chabaya, Gopo and Shoko
Upenyu Chaota
With the stage having already been set for the Bikita West by-election, ground work has already begun with all the three candidates showing optimism of a clean sweep victory.
President Robert Mugabe chose January 21, 2017 as the date on which the by-election will be held.
The nomination court will sit tomorrow (25 November) to decide on whether Zanu PF’s Beauty Chabaya, Zimbabwe People First’s (ZimPF) Kudakwashe Gopo and an independent Heya Shoko are eligible to contest in the election.
The election will act as a yard stick for ZimPF since it will be their first election in opposition politics.
Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) have remained glued to their shrewd “No Reforms, No Elections” campaign but have pledged support for any candidate outside Zanu PF.
TellZim News talked to all the three contestants to hear about their state of preparedness and what they have to offer for the people of Bikita.
Former MDC-T Bikita West legislator Shoko who is contesting as an independent candidate claims the people of Bikita have approached him saying they wanted a real leader of his calibre.
“I have once represented Bikita West when I was with the MDC-T. The people saw what I did during my tenure of office and they feel I am the rightful candidate.
“They have already given me their support and who am I to deny a calling from the people that I worked with for a long time. I have already met with most of the electorate and have liaised with the traditional leadership who have given me overwhelming support,” said Shoko.
He said he is perfectly poised for a landslide victory because he has no competition.
“Zanu PF panicked when I announced my candidature because they know I am a big threat. I am well experienced for this job and the rest of the candidates should compete for second and third positions because the first is already taken,” said Shoko confidently.
TellZim News spent two days failing to get in touch since her mobile number was reachable as she was reported to be holding a series of rallies in rural Bikita.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial political commissar Jeppy Jaboon said his party was in charge of Bikita.
“You can talk to Chabaya sometime later because as we speak, she is having a series of rallies in the constituency. I can tell you that we have never witnessed such huge number of people coming to our rallies. Even those from other opposition political parties are coming back to Zanu PF. There is no way Chabaya can lose in this by-election,” said Jaboon.
Chabaya of Zanu PF who defied all odds in the primaries and outwitted heavy weights like Elias Musakwa said she was an experienced politician who participated in Zanu PF activities well before she even knew that Sadza was the staple food for Zimbabwe..
“You know what, I am a seasoned politician …even Minister (Shuvai) Mahofa can be my witness. I started participating in politics when I was a toddler before I even knew how to eat Sadza – I was already in politics,” said Chabaya.
“We are going to prove a point that Zanu PF is the only party in the country and its popularity will extent to the 2018 elections. We have begun campaigns and I tell you people cannot wait to cast their ballots,” said Chabaya.
“I urge those in opposition parties to come home to Zanu PF. We have witnessed people from ZimPF coming back to Zanu PF because I am a better candidate,” added Chabaya.
Gopo of ZimPF said when it comes to popularity and appeal to the voters in Bikita West, not even one of his competitors can even come close.
Gopo is moving with the campaign slogan, “Let’s Make Bikita West Great Again”.
“Ever since Munyaradzi Kereke was having his days in the courts, I have been campaigning in the constituency and believe me, when I say I have covered every corner and people are happy.
“If elections were held last week I would be a legislator by now. Even if Zanu PF comes to drill boreholes on every house, they will not get any votes. We have done a lot of projects in schools and we are still doing more.
“Together we will make Bikita West great again,” said Gopo.
The candidate for National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Mudorck Chivasa could not be reached for a comment as his mobile phone went unanswered up to the time of going to print,
The environment remains peaceful and no acts of violence have been reported yet.news
