…as council snubs provincial leadership

…DCC wants function re-organised

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- Town Council is under fire from Zanu PF , which is accusing the local authority for commissioning vehicles bought using devolution funds without inviting party leadership.
Last week, CTC officially commissioned four service delivery vehicles purchased using internal funds as well as two tractors that were bought using devolution funds at Melbourne Park Medium Density site where they also officially launched the sewer reticulation system in preparation for construction works by residents at the medium density site.
The event was graced by the Office of the District Development Coordinator (DDC) and Chiredzi West Member of Parliament, Farai Musikavanhu who told the local authority that they should have appreciated the works by the second republic by inviting the Minister of State for such a big event.
Writing in a Zanu PF WhatsApp group, Musikavanhu allegedly said Chiredzi Town Councilors owed him an apology for using his name as the guest of honor when in actual fact the town chairperson had invited DDC to be the guest of honor.
“Chiredzi town councilors owe me an apology for using my name in an attempt to sanitize their improperly sanctioned launch on March 22, 2022 to which their guest of honor as clearly stated by Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende was DDC Lovemore Chisema and not me.
“I made it clear in my remarks that the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Chadzamira was supposed to be the guest of honor at such a key function where tractors bought using devolution funds availed by the government of HE President ED Mnangagwa were being commissioned,” wrote Musikavanhu.
The legislator, is said to be struggling in the Mavhenyengwa ‘infested’ district, where Chiredzi North Member of Parliament Roy Bhila and former CTC Chairperson, Francis Moyo are alleged to be after his political throat, threatening his return in Chiredzi West.
Other sources within party structures claimed that the councilors were called for disciplinary hearing over the matter.
However, Chiredzi Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Siyaki Mundungehama denied having called councilors for the disciplinary hearing saying it was not his duty.
He however, went on to say there was a possibility that there could be a re-commissioning of the vehicles using proper protocols.
“That is very false, constitutionally; I do not do disciplinary issues. I presided over a meeting to prepare ourselves ready for the by-elections, ensuring that we had our agents for all the polling stations. If that happens (re-commissioning), it will then be purely a government programme. The government officials will be responsible.
“Devolution funds and what they purchase are government controlled, locally through local government and to some extent central government,” said Mundungehama.
Zanu PF provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said it was wrong for council to commission such projects without the local leadership and the Minister of state saying they are the representative of the people.
He went on to say even when commissioning projects funded internally they should invite the minister since the funds are from the rates paid by the people.
“We haven’t done any disciplinary for the councilors though council was wrong in not inviting the provincial leadership on the commissioning of vehicles since some were bought using devolution funds.
“Even those bought with internal funds, the minister should be there,” said Mavhenyengwa.
However, Chiredzi Town Chairperson Gibson Hwende said there was no law that stipulates that every commissioning they do they should invite the provincial leadership.
“There is no law that gives us who we should invite when commissioning our projects. However, depending on the source of funding and magnitude of the project, we sometimes need to invite people from higher offices.
“When commissioning devolution funded projects, the minister will be the right person to invite but it also depends on the size. So we had only two tractors under devolution so we saw it fit to do it locally. We have more projects and vehicles which are yet to be delivered that were bought under devolution funds so when we commission those that’s when we will invite him,” said Hwende
CTC has also purchased a refuse truck as well as fire tenders which are expected to be delivered soon.
Chiredzi town council has four Zanu PF Councilors and one independent while the other three got in on the MDC-Alliance ticket.
Zanu PF has been accused of using devolutions funds to bankroll their campaigns.
In the run up to the 26 March by-elections, the party was drilling boreholes and doing other projects in vacant wards using devolution funds.

… bemoans lack of youth vote

Melinda Kusemachibi

Labor Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) candidate in the March 26 by-elections has bemoaned lack of meaningful participation by youth in the electoral processes and expressed gratitude to the 21 votes she got which she ‘treasures the most’.
LEAD candidate Everjoy Chidindi (22) got the going tough as she succumbed to defeat by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Richard Musekiwa in Masvingo urban ward 7.
Chidindi said she is very happy with the results she got as a young woman.
“The elections were fair and I am very much happy with the results. Personally 21 votes were fair considering that many youths did not vote, so I treasure those 21 people who voted for me for a start and I am happy because I barely campaigned as most of the times I was at school and I just came back for a week mobilizing people so 21 is a good start for me.
“As for 2023, yes I am going to participate again,” said Chidindi.
However, LEAD president Linda Masarira issued a statement that her party accepted the results though she had some reservations on the manner in which the campaigns were held.
“From LEAD, we accepted the results even though the pre-electoral period was marred by a lot of irregularities. This is because together with other political players we had to stand guard of ballot processes and securing safety of our votes during the process,” said Masarira.
She also added that the elections were not free and fair.
“The elections were not free, neither were they fair nor credible because the responsible institution short-changed both the voter and political players. Failure is a necessary step towards success.
“The lessons we learnt in the by-elections are very valuable to us as a party and we would not have learnt if we had not attempted to participate in the elections. It is not the size of dog in the fight that matters most that deals a killer blow. Bigger is not always necessarily better,” said Masarira.
She said that they had assigned a team of five to research on questions they have raised.
“Whilst others are celebrating, we have assigned five teams on the ground to do research on: why are people not going to vote enmasse? Why does this apathy cut across all divides? How do we restore confidence in the electoral process to the electorate? How do we ignite these dormant votes to our advantage? What do we lack that can strengthen our cause and struggle?” added Masarira.
In the run up to the polls, Chidindi at one point had to seek for the intervention of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to reprimand Zanu PF candidate Prosper Dohwai who the former accused of abusing her during the campaign trail as Dohwai reportedly abused her in a WhatsApp group.
CCC scooped all the four vacant seats in Masvingo Urban ward 4 Aleck Tabe and Rocky Kamuzonda ward 3 will be first timers in council whilst in ward 7, Richard Musekiwa retained his post as he won with 1342 votes over Zanu-PF’s Prosper Dohwai who got 490 votes and MDC-Alliance’s Gertrude Chuma got 43 votes.
In ward 5, Daniel Mberikunashe managed to retain his post by 568 votes with Zanu-PF Hakinstone Chimwai getting 359 votes and MDC-Alliance’s Ephanos Makiwa getting 30 votes.

Fredrick Moyo

The just ended much awaited by-elections were sadly marred by a massive voter apathy with only 35 percent of eligible voters casting their votes and this could repeat itself in the upcoming 2023 polls if ever the March 26 elections are anything to by.
At stake were 28 parliamentary seats and 105 local government wards that are up for grabs in the by-elections left vacant due to recalls and death. The main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change won 19 out of 28 parliamentary constituencies while the other nine went to Zanu PF.
However it is the voter turnout that characterize these polls that has raised eyebrows as in Masvingo province, urban council elections saw 26 percent of the voters taking to the polls while in the rural areas a 50.1 percent was witnessed.
Speaking to TellZim News political analyst Dr Gift Gwindingwe said voter apathy might repeat itself in the harmonized elections set for 2023 as by-elections are a barometer to measure the political temperature in the country.
“By-elections can be taken as a barometer that has been used to measure political body temperature of Zimbabwe that is to measure the democratic elasticity of our political participants and it has also been used to test even potential of the main contesting political parties that is Zanu PF and CCC so what it definitely means is that both sides have noted their potentials, strengths and weaknesses and I want to believe they are working on such strengths and weaknesses because what has happened is partly a true reflection of the growth of the democratic space in Zimbabwe,” said Gwindingwe.
He also added that there will be stiff competition in the upcoming general elections as both parties will try and capitalize on their strengths, also work on their weaknesses and urge political parties not to talk much about vote rigging as it demotivates the electorate.
“My projection of the upcoming 2023 polls is that the competition is going to be very tense and each political party that has an ambition to win must pull up their socks, do their homework and fulfil their promises as people do not want to be taken for a ride.
“Regarding voter apathy, I have a totally different perception altogether, this idea of speculating about vote rigging can keep away voters so I think this speculation about rigged elections before it is rigged can keep away certain voters. So it is high time we do not hyperbolise and exaggerate some of these issues, contesting political parties should not shift blame especially those represented in parliament because it is in parliament that they should amend the laws,” added Gwindingwi.
He also said that youth participation is questionable in the electoral process hence there is massive voter apathy because the youth form the bulk of population in the country.
“Youth participation is questionable especially during elections and their reluctance to register to vote. The youth form the bulk of the population and if they have to participate in the electoral processes, definitely voter turnout will be good for the nation. The youth need to be properly socialised into the essence of voter registration and participating in voting and exercising their right to vote,” added Dr Gwindingwe.
Youth Decide Executive Director Learnmore Munhangu said they are concerned with the voter apathy as the youth were so reluctant and unconcerned with casting their vote in the just ended by-elections.
“As a youth-driven organization, we are so worried with the just ended by-elections results. The elections were marred with massive voter apathy. Citizens, especially the youth, were so reluctant and unconcerned.
“Apprehending from the past and not only in Zimbabwe, the voter turnout was very low during by-elections. Citizens prefer to vote just once in every five years. We expect a positive change in 2023 general elections,” said Munhangu.
He also said ZEC and other stakeholders should encourage citizens to register to vote so that the turnout improves.
“We implore with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to engage more stakeholders especially youth organizations and associations in mobilizing citizens to register to vote as well as turning out on election day. The situation can improve only if all forces join hands towards the intended goal. We want masses to determine their future,” said Munhangu.
Another political analyst Dr Davison Mugodzwa said the 2023 general elections will not be affected by voter apathy as citizens have seen the outcome if they do not participate in the voting processes.
“I do not think that the same scenario is going to be repeated. The youth and citizens have seen the results of the just ended by-elections and many who remained sceptical that they will not go and vote because elections are rigged have seen the outcome and I think a lot of people will go out in their numbers to vote,” said Mugodzwa.
He also added that CCC will gain more support in the urban areas and ZANU PF will remain strong in rural areas if the political field remains the same.
“If the situation remains the same on the political arena, CCC is likely to have overwhelming support in the urban areas because the electorate in this area is angry and hungry therefore the policy of the stomach will prevail as it has been evidenced with the just ended by-elections. In urban areas, people responded to their daily meal and the economy is biting therefore people will go for a party that is likely to solve their economic and political problems.
“In rural areas as it has been evidenced, Zanu PF is likely to remain strong if state apparatus deny CCC progression into rural areas to market their projects or ideas will have little impact in rural areas and this is going to repeat itself in 2023,” added Magodzwa.
Another political analyst Proffessor Nhamo Mhiripiri said voters have a tendency of not casting their votes during by-elections hence the upcoming 2023 general elections will not be affected by voter apathy.
“I would not worry much about voter apathy next year. The stakes will be high with more interests drived from the presidential elections. That one alone can induce interest around voting for MPs and councilors, since citizens throughout the country will vote for various representatives at the same time. Mind you, in most cases in the by-elections voters vote for one representative instead of the usual three,” said Prof Mhiripiri.
The recently held elections saw limited participation in terms of voters as most people feel the elections are of little significance as compare to presidential elections usually associated with more hype than local authority and parliamentary elections.

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi –With regular/periodic free and fair elections being a yardstick for thriving democracy in a nation, Mwenezi East’s successive by-elections which on March 26 is set to hold its 4th election inside seven years, a factor proving nothing more than a double-edged sword for the long-standing orphaned constituency.
Since the recall of former Zanu PF Mwenezi East legislator Kudakwashe Bhasikiti in 2015, his two successors’ tenures ended prematurely before implementing any meaningful project.
Joshua ‘MaZebra’ Moyo who took over from Bhasikiti in July 2015 died on December 24, 2016. Moyo’s successor Joosbi Omar who won the Mwenezi East ticket following the April 2017 by-election was during the 2018 harmonised elections re-elected legislator only to succumb to Covid-19 in October 2020 leaving the constituency vacant again.
The constituency has for the past seven years been the province if not the entire country’s leading by-election host district owing to short-lived legislators. This has left the legislator’s office a disservice to the electorate who for long have been kept in electoral mode and at the mercy of politicians who merely offer nothing other than voluminous unfulfilled promises.
Bhasikiti’s successor, Moyo whom many locals regarded as the constituency’s hardworking, modest legislator served only from July 2015 and died on December 24 the following year. Given his short stint as legislator, judging Moyo could be a misnomer.
Replacing Moyo in the April 2017 by-elections, Omar, resourceful as he was managed to win the hearts of many who re-elected him in 2018 to represent Mwenezi East only for him to die in October 2020 following a short illness.
Although some critics are of the view that Omar made many promises during his campaigns and delivered too little when he got hold of the legislative steering, with at least some pointers of development attributed to his name still existing. A bakery pioneered by himself is functioning at Rutenga Growth Point. Some schools also got a share of desks and cement from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and some from his own personal resources.
The untimely death of previous Mwenezi East legislators within the past seven years is a major setback to the electorate. The sentiment was shared by longtime ward 3 councillor, Samuel Mabena.
Mabena who was also signatory to the late Omar’s CDF account told TellZim News that the short-lives of the Constituency’s legislators was a huge blow to the electorate.
“Before the late Omar’s death, we received CDF and managed to purchase sizeable bags of cement and desks among several other goods for some schools around the constituency. However, after the MP’s death, the district has not accessed any CDF funds but other areas with parliamentarians are receiving their share. So the absence of a legislator is greatly disadvantaging the constituency,” said Mabena.
Other locals felt the successive by-elections have done nothing for the betterment of the electorate except empty promises.
John Moyo a resident of Mwenezi East’s ward 13 argues that the by-elections have for the past years save as a wastage of resources which could have better been channeled towards the upliftment of stagnant projects which can usher a fresh dawn for the ordinary village folk.
“These regular by-elections are proving to be a disservice to the constituency and the entire country. Right now no meaningful project has yielded any result by these short-lived politicians who have been feeding us with fake promises. A notable example of a district’s dummy was the ground breaking ceremony to open the much awaited Manyuchi Irrigation which was conducted decades ago and thereafter politicians of different caliber visited the site with grand promises but to-date the area that was destined for the irrigation has developed a thick forest.
“There are no meaningful developments to showcase here despite the fact that the constituency has vast riches which include lucrative game reserves, mighty underutilized Manyuchi dam and high quality cattle among several others,” said Moyo.
Given the little resourced Mwenezi East candidates who will stand in the March 26 by-elections namely Zanu PF’s Master Makope, Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Tendekai Mandizvidza and FreeZim Congress’s Turner Mhango, critics argue that nothing much if any is going to be implemented by whoever is going to win the seat before next year’s harmonized polls.
The electorate only waits to see if ever their fate will change.