….People miss Dzingirai, Mharadze & Dumbu
…Mhere, Gwanongodza & Mavhenyengwa pass the test
Golden Maunganidze
A few months ago we carried a survey to find out how Masvingo city councillors performed in 2014. However, people urged us to also monitor the performance of our MPs. We started with three districts of Chivi, Masvingo and Zaka.
Wezhira was shocked to discover that people are actually regretting ever voting for some of the MPs that we have today. However, there were some legislators who passed the test.
I will start with Chivi South constituency where ordinary villagers said they were missing their former MP Irvine Dzingirai popularly known as Chikwambo Chekwa Chivi. Those interviewed said Dzingirai was a better MP as compared to the incumbent Maffios Vutete who is very elusive. When they voted for Vutete, villagers thought that he was going to bring a change and improve their lives, however, today they are regretting saying he is very shy. Instead of taking over from where Dzingirai left, Vutete has not yet managed to fully engage the residents to come up with meaningful people oriented projects. Therefore, according to our rating, Dzingirai’s performance is yet to be matched. The people of Chivi Central have a different story to tell. While those in the South miss their former MP, those in the Central constituency are happy with their MP Ephraim Gwanongodza whom they have described as hardworking. Gwanongodza, unlike his predecessor Paul Mangwana, is always with the people. Gwanongodza is slowly but surely becoming a man of the people. He has time to listen to what the people say and in most cases, he engages the villagers so that he can fulfil his promises. Unlike in the south, villagers in Chivi South still believe that voting Paul Mangwana out was the best decision. Mangwana’s major weakness was that he was always away. Maybe the constitution making process kept him busy to the extent that he forgot his constituency. Going to the North, the people’s joy was short-lived. When their MP Mathias Tongofa was appointed to be deputy Minister of Youth, they thought that he was going to do a lot especially for the youths in his constituency, however, two years down the line, Tongofa is yet to deliver. Villagers said it was better if they continued with Tranos Huruva. Although Huruva was not hesitant to be caught up in scandals or controversy, he was quick to make a u-turn and listen to the people. Huruva was down to earth and always among the electorate hence he is still rated better than Tongofa. Therefore 1 out of 3 MPs in Chivi district passed the test.
In Masvingo district people miss Tichaona Mharadze of Masvingo West constituency. Although Mharadze voluntarily handed over power to party cadre Takanai Mureyi in order to avoid primary elections in his party, villagers say he was a better MP as compared to the incumbent Ezra Chadzamira. Although Chadzamira has a strong financial muscle, the people especially those in areas such as Mashava feel that they are not well represented. Mharadze used to spent time with the people – he would go down in the villages and spent time with ordinary man and women and in the process, they would ask him to solve their problems. He became popular with the borehole projects. Mharadze is therefore rated better than Chadzamira. Unlike in the West, people in the central constituency are very happy with their MP Edmund Mhere. Mhere’s financial muscle is giving him an advantage as he is ready to assist ordinary villagers financially. He therefore becomes their ideal MP. His predecessor Jeffryson Chitando had innovative ideas but he was financially crippled. Although Constituency Development Fund (CDF) assisted him to buy popularity, still what he did with the assistance of CDF can not equate with what Mhere has done using personal money. Walter Mzembi has no one to compare with in Masvingo South. However, villagers think that it’s high time they try another MP since he is often occupied with ministerial business. Even as a minister, Mzembi is accused of dumping Masvingo province. With all the influence and power as tourism minister, Mzembi has failed to arrange for huge cultural festival or event in Masvingo. It seems he has forgotten the significance of Great Zimbabwe monuments. Under normal circumstances, Mzembi should have turned Masvingo into a cultural city which attracts a lot of tourists. Masvingo should be ranked high in terms of tourist attraction in Zimbabwe. The reason is that Masvingo is the oldest city in Zimbabwe, so anyone who would want to know more about the nation’s history should be taken to places like our beloved city and Great Zimbabwe. Because of that, villagers think Mzembi is better as an MP for a Harare constituency.
There is no winner between the late minister Stan Gorerazvo Mudenge and the incumbent Davis Marapira of Masvingo North. Although, Mudhenge was rated as a good minister of Higher Education – he was not liked in his constituency for a number of reasons including neglecting important projects. On that note, Marapira is better than Mudhenge, however, people still believe the current MP’s performance is below 50 percent. There was a very big debate as people were comparing former MP for Masvingo Urban Tongai Matutu to the incumbent Daniel Shumba. Both politicians were described as eloquent speakers and goal oriented who do not take defeat lightly. However, Matutu’s major weakness was that he was seen as arrogant politician who would only come to the people for his personal gains. He was however an assert to his party and people thought bringing a new face from a different political party would help, however, they still expect more from him. The people in Zaka North said they were very happy to have Robson Mavhenyengwa as their MP. They said form MP Ernest Mudavanhu failed to represent them. Although Mudavanhu remained a hero in his party for both coming up with a slogan for MDC-T and being prepared to go to jail, the people said that was not enough for them. Former MPs for Zaka Central and West Harrison Mudzuri and Festus Dumbu are also missed in their constituencies. However, the incumbent MPs for the same constituencies Paradza Chakona and Vinicent Mawere respectively are also working very hard. If they remain consistent, they have potential to beat their predecessors. In the East, Samson Mukanduri has no one to be compared with, however, villagers continue to urge him to be on the ground.
For now we say Wezhira wati wahweiko …. we are rating MPs in Gutu, Bikita, Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts next week. Send comments to ed****@te**.local
