Sam Chapfudza

MASVINGO – Aspiring Masvingo Urban independent parliamentary candidate, Sam Chapfudza, has vowed to transform the livelihoods of the people should he be mandated to represent them in parliament come July 30 harmonised polls.
Chapfudza, who is a vendor by profession and pries his trade at Chitima market, said he decided to stand as an independent candidate because of the red tapes associated with political parties who often times squash popular candidates over unpopular ones because of money.
“We have experimented with political party representatives and we have not achieved any meaningful developments because these people are loyal to their parties and forget the people who got them into power.
“They end up reporting to their parties and not the people who elected them into office,” said Chapfudza.
He said the victory of an independent candidate is the victory for Masvingo because an independent candidate is loyal to the people.
“As an independent candidate I am loyal to the people who are my bosses. I answer only to the people who voted me into office not any political party.
“I will push for policies that are pro-people and not pro-political parties,” said Chapfudza.
Chapfudza said he will look into issues that affect vendors through advocating for the protection of vendors’ rights, uplifting rebate, reduction of duty to accommodate the informal traders and also championing for the revival of industries in Masvingo to improve the living conditions of the public.
Masvingo urban has a total of nine candidates—Zanu PF’s Taguma Benjaman Mazarire, MDC Alliance’s Jacob Nyokanhete, United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) Lovemore Chevure, National Patriotic Front’s (NPF) Michael Taderera, People’s Rainbow Coalition’s (PRC) Samual Nyakurita, MDC-T’s Philip Nyeberah, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Makaronga Hellen, independent candidates Chapfudza and Paul Nyashanu.politics

Addmore Hwarare

… as Gono quits in protest against Hwarare involvement

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Farai Musikavanhu’s Chiredzi West campaign has hit turbulent waters after Rtd Maj Faster Gono left in protest against the involvement of Addmore Hwarare whom he accuses of corruption
Gono, who is secretary general of the powerful Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZSMIWU), withdrew from the campaign team saying he could not work with a person who almost ruined the workers’ union during his time at the helm.
He was annoyed after Hwarare, who joined Musikavanhu’s campaign team last week, addressed a rally that was attended by the Zanu PF provincial leadership and war veterans in Ward 27, Mutirikwi, in Triangle.
Afterwards, Gono told TellZim News that involving Hwarare in the campaign was political suicide because thousands of sugarcane plantation workers, who form the bulk of Chiredzi West voters, do not want anything to do with him.
“I totally disassociated myself and the union from the campaign the very day our provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira invited Cde Hwarare to present his ill-gotten donations to the party during the rally.
“Remember, workers are still footing the costs of Hwarare’s $300 000 Fidelity debacle. Here is a man who burnt the ZSMIWU offices to destroy evidence. It’s a shame that such a person is allowed to join us. I cannot allow myself to be associated with such corruption,” said Gono.
When contacted for comment, Hwarare justified his presence on Musikavanhu’s campaign trail, saying the party leadership had asked him to do so.
“I was asked by the province to campaign for Musikavanhu because he is facing hard times in Hippo Valley and Triangle. I am a sniper of war and I was a successful commissar for more than 10 years. I know how to execute that duty,” said Hwarare.
On his part, Musikavanhu referred all questions back to Gono, saying he did not want to be involved in a personal dispute between two people.
“It’s better to ask Captain Gono because I think there are some misunderstanding between him and some party leaders. I personally am on good terms with Captain Gono,” said Musikavanhu
Other members of Musikavanhu’s campaign team include Jevas Masosota and Ronald Ndava.politics

Shingirai Vambe

MUTARE – MDC-T (Khupe) aspiring Dangamvura – Chikanga parliamentary candidate, Lynnette Mudewe told journalists last Friday that her name could not be found on the voters’ roll on the day of the nomination court at the Mutare Magistrate’s Court.
“My name did not appear on the voter’s role and only after providing my registration slip, the official contacted the command centre for confirmation and then I filed my papers,” said Mudewe.
She was speaking at a panel discussion organised by MISA Zimbabwe in Mutare on June 15, one day after the nomination court.
Mudehwe also revealed that after she registered to vote, she received an sms from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) with her correct details.
She accused the electoral management body of doing a shoddy job, saying her experience pointed to a situation where many people who registered to vote could be missing from the voters’ roll.
“Why did Zec waste millions of dollars to acquire a system they can’t operate?” quipped Mudehwe, suggesting that many people could be turned away on voting day.
“As much as we appreciate the digital era we are in, Zec seems not able to efficiently use the BVR system and these elections could be the worst after Tobaiwa Mudede,” charged Mudewe.
There have been conflicting reports on the release of the voters’ roll, with opposition political parties piling pressure upon Zec to reveal the electronic version of the roll.
The electoral administration body itself, however, has been sending mixed signals saying the voters’ roll will be released at an appropriate moment. It later said only the printed copies will be available to stakeholders once the printing work is done.
The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has threatened to stop the elections if Zec does not play ball, accusing the body of working in cahoots with Zanu PF to rig the elections through the voters’ roll.politics