Clever Taperamoyo
People
in Gutu North constituency have criticised their Member of Parliament (MP) Yeukai
Simbanegavi whom they say has done nothing towards the development of the area
for the seven months she has been their representative.
in Gutu North constituency have criticised their Member of Parliament (MP) Yeukai
Simbanegavi whom they say has done nothing towards the development of the area
for the seven months she has been their representative.
Many
villagers accuse Simbanegavi, who is the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts
and Recreation, of making all the right promises in the run-up to last year’s
elections but only to disappear when she won the seat.
villagers accuse Simbanegavi, who is the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts
and Recreation, of making all the right promises in the run-up to last year’s
elections but only to disappear when she won the seat.
Tafadzwa
Chindito of Mazhawidza Village in Ward 12 said he was not impressed by
Simbanegavi’s performance, accusing her of making fake promises to secure
victory.
Chindito of Mazhawidza Village in Ward 12 said he was not impressed by
Simbanegavi’s performance, accusing her of making fake promises to secure
victory.
“I
voted for the first time in last year`s elections hoping for the improvement of
our area especially with regards to the upliftment of the youth. I was
convinced that electing a youthful MP like Simbanegavi would make a difference
but all that seems to have been a mirage. She won the elections by implementing
short-term projects that made us believe she was for real.
voted for the first time in last year`s elections hoping for the improvement of
our area especially with regards to the upliftment of the youth. I was
convinced that electing a youthful MP like Simbanegavi would make a difference
but all that seems to have been a mirage. She won the elections by implementing
short-term projects that made us believe she was for real.
“She
gave us chicks during the election period to kick start our own poultry projects.
Unfortunately we all failed in the projects because many of the chicks died and
others stunted as we did not have enough feed,” said Shumba.
gave us chicks during the election period to kick start our own poultry projects.
Unfortunately we all failed in the projects because many of the chicks died and
others stunted as we did not have enough feed,” said Shumba.
He
said when Simbanegavi was named deputy Youth minister, he thought it was
another opportunity for her to do more for people in the constituency.
said when Simbanegavi was named deputy Youth minister, he thought it was
another opportunity for her to do more for people in the constituency.
Gutu
North is a constituency with a myriad of problems that include perennial water
shortages, a poor road system, few secondary schools, poor and few heath
facilities.
North is a constituency with a myriad of problems that include perennial water
shortages, a poor road system, few secondary schools, poor and few heath
facilities.
A
villager from Ward 10, which covers such areas as Chitsa and Makudo, said every
post-election period was always a Damascene moment in Gutu North as all the
preceding euphoria would give way to crude realities.
villager from Ward 10, which covers such areas as Chitsa and Makudo, said every
post-election period was always a Damascene moment in Gutu North as all the
preceding euphoria would give way to crude realities.
“There
is much hope during elections and a lot of promises are made but they always
come to naught. It is a cycle of the same thing happening over and over again.
During her campaign, the current MP seemed to understand our struggles better
than the previous ones.
is much hope during elections and a lot of promises are made but they always
come to naught. It is a cycle of the same thing happening over and over again.
During her campaign, the current MP seemed to understand our struggles better
than the previous ones.
“We
got some secondhand clothes and there were some day-old chicks for those who
were selected for the poultry projects. It was really a good initiative to
reduce poverty had she done it with consistency,” said the villager.
got some secondhand clothes and there were some day-old chicks for those who
were selected for the poultry projects. It was really a good initiative to
reduce poverty had she done it with consistency,” said the villager.
Proper
Chaputsira from Ward 13 said Zanu PF politicians who campaign in rural areas
always have it easy since they never receive as much censure as those from the
opposition.
Chaputsira from Ward 13 said Zanu PF politicians who campaign in rural areas
always have it easy since they never receive as much censure as those from the
opposition.
“We
have had many of them coming and going. Simbanegavi is no exception; she just
rode on her association with the ruling party which hardly feels threatened by
the opposition in rural communities. She promised to give us grinding mill
vouchers, fence for co-operatives, drill boreholes and provide capital for
chicken projects but there is no progress on the ground.
have had many of them coming and going. Simbanegavi is no exception; she just
rode on her association with the ruling party which hardly feels threatened by
the opposition in rural communities. She promised to give us grinding mill
vouchers, fence for co-operatives, drill boreholes and provide capital for
chicken projects but there is no progress on the ground.
“We
haven’t heard from her or seen her since she was declared winner in July last
year. Our dip tanks are old and rundown. She promised to work to have the Gutu-
Mataruse road surfaced but we have not seen anything happening up to now,”
said Chaputsira.
haven’t heard from her or seen her since she was declared winner in July last
year. Our dip tanks are old and rundown. She promised to work to have the Gutu-
Mataruse road surfaced but we have not seen anything happening up to now,”
said Chaputsira.
Other
villagers said the strongest opposition for Zanu PF politicians in rural areas
was their own internal politics within the ruling party.
villagers said the strongest opposition for Zanu PF politicians in rural areas
was their own internal politics within the ruling party.
“Once
you outmaneuver every other rival in the party and secure the party’s mandate
in primary elections, your political destiny becomes secure. There is not much
opposition to the ruling party after their own primary elections because people
here are afraid. There might not be obvious intimidation but people have long
understood the importance of voting ‘wisely’ to avoid security risks,” said a
school teacher under Headman Makumbe.
you outmaneuver every other rival in the party and secure the party’s mandate
in primary elections, your political destiny becomes secure. There is not much
opposition to the ruling party after their own primary elections because people
here are afraid. There might not be obvious intimidation but people have long
understood the importance of voting ‘wisely’ to avoid security risks,” said a
school teacher under Headman Makumbe.
When
TellZim News phoned her, Simbanegavi said 120 youth were currently working on
Gutu- Mataruse dusty road putting tar, but that was not the situation on the
ground as the road is just as it has always been.
TellZim News phoned her, Simbanegavi said 120 youth were currently working on
Gutu- Mataruse dusty road putting tar, but that was not the situation on the
ground as the road is just as it has always been.
“We
are currently working on the Gutu-Mataruse. As we, speak 120 youths have been
employed and are on the ground working on it.
are currently working on the Gutu-Mataruse. As we, speak 120 youths have been
employed and are on the ground working on it.
“On
the issue of income generating projects, I advise people in my constituency to
write proposals then I will assist from there. We don’t dictate on the type on
projects to be done. The current economic situation in the country is a
challenge, but I am trying my level best to meet the promises,” said
Simbanegavi.
the issue of income generating projects, I advise people in my constituency to
write proposals then I will assist from there. We don’t dictate on the type on
projects to be done. The current economic situation in the country is a
challenge, but I am trying my level best to meet the promises,” said
Simbanegavi.
