Fredrick Moyo
Out of the four wards that are going to have by-elections in Masvingo Urban, ward 7 can simply be called what they say in sports the ‘group of death’ after six candidates were successfully nominated for the March 26 by-election, before one withdrew due to double candidature.
There seems to be stiff competition in the ward, with relatively new parties managing to field candidates to contest for the first time.
Citizens Coalition for Change will be represented by Richard Musekiwa, ZANU PF by Prosper Dohwai, LEAD by Everjoy Chidindi, Prince Nato will stand for UDA while MDC-T has Getrude Tshuma following Charles Chipetu’s withdrawal from the race after the Douglas Mwonzora-led outfit held primary elections a week after the nomination court sat.
Richard Musekiwa – Citizens Coalition for Change
Musekiwa said there are projects that he left unfinished when he was recalled by MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora and he is looking forward to finish those projects if elected.
“As a resident of Rujeko I know which problems people are facing and I am looking forward to solve those problems. There are also some projects in which I left unfinished when I was recalled as a councillor and I am looking forward to finish those projects when I am elected.
“When I was still in office I wanted to build public toilets at every shopping centre in Rujeko as it is a place where people flock doing their day to day business. I will also make sure that the areas that need road attention will be attended to and tar those needs to be tarred and also those that have potholes,” said Musekiwa.
He also added that he advocated for the construction of Rujeko Secondary School as children from Rujeko where traveling long distances going to school and also crossing the busy Masvingo – Beitbridge highway.
“I also advocated for the construction of Rujeko Secondary School which is a good project as pupils now do not have to travel long distances to school and I am promising more projects to Rujeko residents when I am elected. My message to the electorate is that they should vote for CCC and also vote for me as Ward 7 councillor,” added Musekiwa.
Prosper Dohwai – ZANU PF
Dohwai said he is the best candidate and residents should vote for him as he is a free, loving and caring person and have good projects for the residents.
“What shows that I am the perfect candidate is that people selected me to represent the party and that shows that I am the perfect candidate. I am also caring, loving and I am a good listener who listens to peoples grievances,” said Dohwai.
He also added that if he is elected he will solve people’s challenges without discrimination according to tribe or race and also encouraged residents to vote for him.
“When I am elected, I will go with the grievances that people in ward 7 are facing to the local authority and also solve the problems without looking at ones tribe or race, as long as he/she comes from the ward that I am representing.
“I am encouraging the electorate to vote for me and see that what they want and like to be addressed will be done,” added Dohwai.
Everjoy Chidindi – LEAD
Chidindi said she is the ideal candidate for the local authority post in ward 7 because she is young and vibrant and also that she was born and bred in Rujeko so she knows what challenges people are facing as she is prepared to solve the problems.
“What makes me think that I am an ideal candidate is that I am young and I am the future. I believe that if young people are given a chance they will definitely change things. I have a vision of the future like creating employment for the young generation.
“I have a community development agenda in which I will call all community leaders so that we work together for instance in road rehabilitation so that our streets have good roads and also improving the drainage system,” said Chidindi.
She also added that she grew up in Ward 7 and she knows all the challenges that the people are facing and she will try fix them once she is elected.
“I grew up in ward 7 so when I am elected as a young person who is very energetic will fix all the challenges like sewage and water that trouble residents in ward seven. My message to the electorate is that they should vote for me as I am a young person and give the young blood a chance and see what we are capable of,” added Chidindi.
Efforts to get hold of MDC-T ward 7 candidate Getrude Tshuma were fruitless as she was not available before the time of publication.
Prince Nato of UDA said he first have to get authority from his party to speak to the media, missing out on his chance to sell his ideology as the by-elections draw closer.
