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Musekiwa, Majoni in struggle for Rujeko hearts and minds

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Musekiwa, Majoni in struggle for Rujeko hearts and minds

Majoni makes a point during the dialogue meeting



…..residents demand assurances on Rujeko Footbridge


Clayton Shereni
Zanu PF and MDC Alliance aspiring candidates for Ward 7 in Masvingo Urban, Talent Majoni and Richard Musekiwa, on Friday, July 20 shared a platform to sell their plans for the populous ward.
The two youthful candidates, alongside candidates from other wards, were pannelists at a Tell Zimbabwe-organised public dialogue meeting at Charles Austin’s Theatre. They talked about many things including their pledge to make sure that the long-talked-about Rujeko Footbridge project is eventually implemented.
Musekiwa is the sitting councillor, who is seeking to defend his seat against a determined Majoni and other competitors.
During the meeting, Musekiwa reveled in what he said were the success stories of his current term which saw the resurfacing of some main roads in his ward.
He said he would continue lobbying for the resurfacing and upgrading of roads in Rujeko if re-elected on July 30.
“I successfully lobbied council to resurface Ingwe Drive and facilitated for the construction of eight classroom blocks at Rujeko and Shakashe Primary schools. If you give me another chance in office, I would continue on the same path,” said Musekiwa.
Through his effort, he said, council identified land for the servicing of 1700 stands for a new suburb to be known as Rujeko D, with plans already in place to build a new secondary school to service the whole of Rujeko and beyond.
“We have identified more than 1700 residential stands for the Rujeko D housing scheme and the site plans are already in place. As council, we will take up the task of building a secondary school in Rujeko since government and churches have failed to assist in this regard,” said Musekiwa.
In his own presentation, Majoni said he was already involved in many successful community projects even though was not yet a councillor.
“In Rujeko, I facilitated the spraying of mosquito-infested swamps and grassy areas. I have also helped to train women in such skills as floor polish-making through the ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“I also want to set up a community development trust which will be constituted by pastors, college students and politicians from all parties. It will be truly partisan and designed to serve the community. Even Musekiwa will be involved in that trust. I also want to see Rujeko Footbridge being built without further delays. Council must budget for that,” said Majoni.
The dialogue also was attended by many aspiring councillors including Godfrey Kurauone (MDC Alliance, Ward 4) and his strongest rival, Tavara Mudukuti of Zanu PF as well as Ward 5 independent candidate, Enock Mapondo.politics

Rugeje born again

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Rugeje born again
This picture of Zanu PF national political commissar, Rtd Lt Gen Engelbert Rugeje (second from left) sandwiched by Zanu PF and MDC Alliance supporters did the rounds on social media recently, giving hope that things have really changed for the better in the country’s political affairs

Upenyu Chaota

The mere mention of the name Engelbert Rugeje used to send cold shivers down the spines of many opposition supporters in Bikita.
Many people knew the now Rtd Lt Gen of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) for his alleged role in the violence that engulfed Bikita and most parts of the province in the run-up to the notorious 20008 presidential election run-off.
Serving as the major general then, Rugeje also played a critical role in ensuring that Zanu PF got all the 26 constituencies in the 2013 harmonised elections.
The current Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Josaya Hungwe never misses an opportunity to remind those who care to listen that it was Rugeje’s hand that saved Zanu PF in Masvingo in 2013.
Out Robert Mugabe and enter President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has ushered in a ‘new dispensation’ which retired Rugeje from the army and put him into politics as one of the most powerful man in Zanu PF; national secretary for the commissariat.
Many thought the appointment of Rugeje to the commissariat would mean Zanu PF will unleash violence again in the build up to the July 30 harmonised polls but that is proving to be frutless imagination.
As a man who has his roots in Bikita, Rugeje is constantly in touch with his rural folk and interacts with revellers at Nyika Growth Point regardless of political affiliation.
Two weeks ago, Rugeje was seen posing for a picture with both members of Zanu PF and MDC in their party regalia, an unthinkable thing during Mugabe’s era.
Though Rugeje could not be reached for a comment, opposition supporters who spoke to TellZim News said it was amazing how people of all political parties can now interact without fighting.
“Rugeje hapana anotiudzira nekuti tinomuziva tega. Murume anga ane hutsinye zvekuti waitotya kupfeka regalia kana muchiziva ari kuno (We cannot be told about Rugeje because we know him firs thand. He was a brutal man and wearing party regalia when he was around took wild courage)
“Zviri kutotishamisawo kuti chii chakachinja Rugeje kuda. Kana zvisiri zvekunyengedza tinotenda Mwari nekuti tava kuzovhotera watinoda pasina kumbunyikidzwa (We are actually surprised by this new Rugeje. We hope it’s his character now and we will exercise our right to vote without fear),” said an MDC supporter.
Another opposition supporter who paused for a picture with Rugeje said the man had changed dramatically and no cases of violence had been recorded or perpetrated against opposition supporters.
“We are going about our business without any threats and when we see Rugeje at Nyika growth point, we often ask him to buy us beer and when he has money he buys. We are very happy with this prevailing environment.
“People should know that politics comes once in every five years and people should not create enmity because we still have to live together in society. Violence has no place in our politics. If Rugeje has repented what more a mere supporter like myself,” said an opposition supporter.
Very few cases of political violence have been reported in Masvingo province with the most recent one being of two Zanu PF supporters who got hospitalised after they were beaten by MDC supporters.
The front runners in the presidential race, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa have all come out to denounce violence and call for tolerance.top news

Svuure’s engineering qualification questioned

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Svuure’s engineering qualification questioned

…’how can we entrust people who fake qualifications with leadership?’

Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Zanu PF aspiring candidate for Zaka Central constituency, Davison Svuure, who claims to be an engineer by qualification, has had the authenticity of his claims questioned by the people from his own constituency.
Svuure won the Zanu PF primary elections ahead of heavy weights like the outgoing MP Paradzai Chakona and Advocate James Makiya.,
It is, however, his public claims that he holds an engineering qualification that has send tongues wagging, with many people saying he is a mere metal worker who is into welding business.
Sources who spoke to this publication said Svuure operated a workshop in Harare where he does welding and not mechanical engineering.
“Svuure is not an engineer as he claims. I know his workshop in Mbare where he makes scotch carts and other things but he is lying to people by claiming to be an engineer. How then can we trust people who falsify their qualifications to be good leaders?” said one Zaka Central resident.
Another source said Svuure was lying to the electorate promising them that he would definitely land a cabinet post and put them on the gravy train once he won the election.
“He is telling people that his academic qualification put him on pole position to land a cabinet post so that he will be better positioned to put them on the feeding trough. But that is all fake. You can’t hold such people accountable,” said another resident who stays in Jerera.
When contacted for comment, Svuure dismissed the issue saying those who disputed his qualifications were trying to soil his name and reputation.
“Those are mere allegations meant to tarnish my name. Besides, what does that have to do with the development I am bringing to the constituency? Do people need my qualifications or they want development?” said Svuure.
He refused to state where and when he acquired his engineering qualification, saying that was a non-issue in the elections.
In the run-up to the Zanu PF primaries Svuure donated water pipes for water projects in ward 18 and also donated cement for the construction of small bridges across streams in his constituency.
Svuure shocked all and sundry when he defeated the more experienced Chakona in the party’s chaotic primaries that were widely described as a sham.topnews

MDC Alliance dumps Ngarivhume in Bikita East

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Image result for Ngarivhume pic

TellZim Reporter
BIKITA – MDC Alliance presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa was in the district on Sunday July 16, where he is said to have endorsed the candidature of Boniface Mudzingwa for the Bikita East parliamentary seat at the expense of one of the alliance principals and Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader, Jacob Ngarivhume.
MDC Alliance Masvingo provincial chairperson, James Gumbi confirmed the developments, saying Chamisa declared ‘the preferred’ candidate during the visit.
“Yes it’s true. The president was here yesterday (Sunday) to find out the preferences of the people on the ground and he declared Mudzingwa as candidate,” said Gumbi.
Asked if everybody was OK with the decision given the dissent from the TZ quarters, Gumbi said Chamisa’s decision was final and anybody who chose to go against it would pay the political price.
“They would be lucky to get even 50 votes if they choose to go against the decision. It’s all about what the voters want. In Masvingo South, president Chamisa declared Justin Makota as the candidate,” said Gumbi.
TZ officials, however, dismissed claims that Chamisa had declared Mudzingwa as candidate for Bikita East, claiming Ngarivhume was still in the race.
“Our leader, Mr. Jacob Ngarivhume is still the alliance’s rightful parliamentary candidate for Bikita East and we are on the ground campaigning for him. Chamisa did not endorse Mudzingwa,” said TZ youth provincial youth leader, Clayson Chimbidzikai.
He acknowledged, however, that all was not well for the alliance in the constituency, saying the matter ought to be resolved urgently.
“There are serious disagreements there because of people who do not want to accept an orderly way of doing things. There are also similar problems in Masvingo South but we maintain Mr. Justin Makota is the rightful MDC Alliance candidate there. Our president is currently in Bikita but we expect him to travel to Harare for an audience with other principals,” said Chimbidzikai.
In Masvingo South, Lovemore Matongo of MDC-T Chamisa faction successfully filed to contest for the seat which had, from the very beginning, been allocated to TZ which in turn fielded Makota as the candidate.local

Gutu South yearns for capable leadership, says Togarepi

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Image result for Pupurai Togarepi pic

Pupurai Togarepi

…preaches tolerance, peace ahead of July 30

TellZim Reporter

The people of Gutu South yearn for capable representation and leadership that can initiate and sustain development, something they are bound to have come July 30, Zanu PF Gutu South parliamentary candidate, Pupurai Togarepi has said.

The Zanu PF youth leader, who is contesting against five other candidates; Eriam Musendekwa (MDC Alliance), Thomas Mudzaniri (NCA), Fanuel Mutero (MDC-T), Brighton Shayanowako (UPZ) and Edward Tome (BAZ) said he wanted to be a leader who will leave a good legacy behind.

“I am not in the race just to win; my winning should be a means to an end, the end being the development and satisfaction of the people of Gutu South. I have identified several areas with unacceptable infrastructural gaps that I want to work tirelessly to fill. There are roads that need attention, there are people with no immediate access to clean water to drink. Those are some of the many areas I want to attend to as a matter of urgency,” said Togarepi.

Asked what he would do differently that his past compatriots in Zanu PF have failed to do when they were MPs for the area, Togarepi said he could only ask people to give him a chance and judge him later.

“The people will judge for themselves but my pledge is to work for them with humility. Previous MPs did what they could and failed to do what they could not, I am here to play my own part for the sake of development. I was born in Gutu South, bred in Gutu South and I am rooted in Gutu South. That is my home and I know the problems there and understand what needs to be done,” he said.

When asked what his response was to concerns that he would turn his back on unfinished projects started by his predecessor Paul Chimedza to settle old factional grudges, Togarepi promised to be a champion for all positive causes.

“I am guided by the Zanu PF leadership and party manifesto on development. I won’t turn my back on anything that is good for the community. Projects that need to be completed will surely be completed in due course.

“I have already liaised with Zesa to make sure that electricity is connected to schools in Ward 28 that remain unconnected to the national grid. It is now a Zesa issue but all the infrastructure is now in place,” said Togarepi.

He lamented the defacing of his election posters by what he suspects to be members of opposition parties.

“We are saying let’s practice tolerance and let’s have peace. The country’s leadership is consistently preaching about peace and tolerance as well as free, fair and credible elections. I have lost a lot of resources to people who are tearing off our posters. Besides that, there is little, if any other negative stories to tell in the campaign. I am confident of victory and the environment is conducive,” Togarepi said.politics

 

 

Zanu PF MP exposes rot in party

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Zanu PF MP exposes rot in party
Darlington Chiwa

TellZim Reporter

CHIREDZI – Incumbent Zanu PF legislator for Chiredzi West, Darlington Chiwa has said the level of corruption in ruling party is so alarming that he chose to stand as an independent candidate in the July 30 watershed elections.

Addressing the electorate during a press discussion organised by Tell Zimbabwe in Chiredzi recently, Chiwa said corruption in Zanu PF prevented him from fulfilling some of the promises he made in the run up to July 31, 2013 elections.

“I was in a catch 22 situation; I wanted to tackle the rot at our council but the then local government minister had received bribes so he wanted to fire me from the party. Each time I tried to push for a graft probe at Chiredzi council, I would be threatened with expulsion from the party,” said Chiwa.

The Chiredzi West legislator said the same kind of corruption manifested during the party’s primary elections, leading to Farai Musikavanhu controversially winning the ticket to represent Zanu PF in the elections.

“I don’t regret leaving Zanu PF and standing as an independent candidate. I am no longer in Zanu PF and I am very happy about that. Corruption in the party forced me to make this decision; let the electorate choose whom they want to represent them in parliament,” Chiwa said.

He also took time highlighting the work he has done in the constituency using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) he received from government early this year.

Chiwa also said he successfully managed to stop land invasions especially those targeted at Tongaat Hulett.

He pleaded with the people of Chiredzi West to give him a fresh mandate so that he could push for the implementation of good policies.

“I am glad to say what the other candidates are promising to do, I have already done. I stood with Tongaat and I managed to stop invasions of the company’s sugarcane farms. I am therefore seeking a fresh mandate so that I can implement some of these policies in order to ensure that there will never again be land invasions and that there is job security for all Tongaat employees,” he said.top news

Bikita East ours for the taking, says NCA

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Bikita East ours for the taking, says NCA

Ernest Rambe

TellZim Reporter

BIKITA – The People of Bikita East are wise, and they will not be hoodwinked into voting for political parties with little regard for development and constitutionalism, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) parliamentary candidate, Ernest Rambe has said.
He said his party was the favourite to win the seat which had been held by Zanu PF’s Kennedy Matimba before his death in April this year.
Rambe said he was basing his campaign on constitutionalism and community development, issues that he claimed were lacking in the circles of his competitors.
“We are a party that is founded on the roots of constitutionalism as a sure means to development. The people of Bikita East know that they have lived on empty promises for as long as one can bother to remember. That is coming to an end with an NCA victory in this coming election,” said Vambe.
He said if elected MP, he would work for access to safe drinking water by cleaning up boreholes and drilling new ones. Other projects he promised to undertake are road rehabilitation as well as youth and women empowerment.
“I will work well with the people as guided by the party. NCA believes that if a people-driven constitution is enacted and if all the laws of the land are respected, development and human progress would follow. That is the message we will take to parliament while working with people in the constituency to develop their areas. We want to do projects that last, and not give people handouts that cannot sustain them in the long term,” said Vambe.
Other people who are contesting for the Bikita East parliamentary seat are Bonface Mudzingwa (MDC Alliance, Jacob Ngarivhume (MDC Alliance) and Johnson Madhuku (Zanu PF).
In Bikita South, NCA’s Denis Ziki is contesting against a host of other candidates that including Jeppy Jaboon (MDC Alliance), Charles Nyajena (Independent) and Josiah Sithole (Zanu PF).
In Bikita West, the party fielded Madock Chivasa to contest against Kudakwashe Bhadharai (MDC Alliance), Benjamin Katema (MDC-T) and Elias Musakwa (Zanu PF).

BZA enjoys Zanu PF, MDC Alliance infighting in Masvingo South

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BZA enjoys Zanu PF, MDC Alliance infighting in Masvingo South

Knowledge Mabvuure

TellZim Reporter

Build Zimbabwe Alliance parliamentary candidate for Masvingo South, Knowledge Mabvuure is reveling in the infighting characterizing the MDC Alliance and Zanu PF campaigns in the constituency, with the hope that it is giving him an urge over those opponents.
Mabvuure, a youthful lawyer with Chihambakwe and Makonese Legal Practitioners, is aiming to snatch the seat that had been held by Zanu PF’s Walter Mzembi before his expulsion from the party in the wake of the coup that toppled Robert Mugabe last November.
He said the fact that the MDC Alliance fielded two candidates in the constituency, and that Zanu PF members disillusioned by the party’s chaotic primaries were contesting as independents made the Noah Manyika-led BZA the only party capable of representing the genuine interests of the people of Masvingo South.
“Build Zimbabwe Alliance had a smooth candidate selection process and there was no acrimony as has happened in other parties. It shows we are not motivated by greed and selfish interests; we are there to serve the people,” said Mabvuure.
Mabvuure is contesting against Zanu PF-linked independents; Victor Vengeyi and Action Haruchenjerwi as well as other candidates that include Justin Makota (MDC Alliance), Lovemore Matongo (MDC Alliance), Claudius Maronge (Zanu PF) and Tawanda Mavhaire (PRC).
“We represent the best that still remains on the country’s dishonesty political landscape. We are guided by our manifesto, which has been ranked among the best, to effect positive change in our communities. Masvingo South will never be the same with BZA leadership,” said Mabvuure.
He said the constituency had a lot of potential in terms of projects, with only good leadership and representation in parliament the only missing link.
“We have seen many MPs coming and going but nothing has changed for the people on the ground. I will work to reverse the many years of neglect that we have suffered as a constituency,” Mabvuure said.local

NPP national executive member Sithole quits

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NPP national executive member Sithole quits

Tichaona Sithole

TellZim Reporter

The People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) suffered a heavy blow in Masvingo after National People’s Party (NPP) national executive member, Tichaona Sithole resigned from the party which he accuses of lacking direction.
The NPP, which is led by Joice Mujuru, who is also the PRC’s presidential candidate, is a critical player in the coalition of opposition political parties.
In a letter dated July 03, 2018, Sithole notifies the party of his resignation from both the national executive as well as from the party altogether.
When contacted for comment, Sithole said he resigned because the leadership of the party was ‘inept and directionless’.
NPP national spokesperson, Jeffryson Chitando rubbished Sithole’s resignation, saying it made no difference to the party because he had stopped cooperating a long time back.
“It is of no consequence to us because he had stopped being involved in party activities a long time ago. He was no longer attending even the most important meetings of the party so we say to him go well,” said Chitando.politics

Early congratulatory message for Chimanimani West candidate

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Early congratulatory message for Chimanimani West candidate

Chamisa with Matiashe last week

Courage Dutiro

CHIMANIMANI – Addressing a fully subscribed rally held at Nhedziwa growth point last week Thursday, MDC Alliance presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa congratulated in advance the aspiring parliamentary candidate for Chimanimani West, Canaan Matiashe whom he said was assured of victory come July 30.
The MDC Alliance leader told his supporters that he wanted to congratulate Matiashe in advance because he had already won the upcoming general election.
“If you fail to be the Member of Parliament (MP) for this constituency Matiashe, it would not be an election because as I see, you have already won the election, let me congratulate you,” said Chamisa.
Alliance’s presidential candidate proved that he had great hopes of winning the forthcoming elections, telling the crowd that he would want to see Matiashe in parliament and also at the State House.
“See you in parliament and also at the inauguration at State House, God bless you,” said the MDC Alliance leader.
Chamisa described the MDC Alliance parliamentary candidate as a hardworking person who had people at heart. He also praised Matiashe for the ambulance that he donated to the constituency.
The MDC Alliance leader also urged the crowd to support Matiashe, saying he was a person who had a vision of developing the constituency.politics

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