Mphoko leads Zanu PF vote buying

Politics
CTING President Phelekezela Mphoko on Sunday dished out cash and foodstuffs at a rally to drum up support for Zanu PF’s candidate in the Chikanga-Dangamvura by-election as the ruling party pulls out all stops to win seats vacated by MDC-T MPs.

“The government would like to see communities living with our natural resources embarking in projects which will sustainably utilise and manage these resources.”

ACTING President Phelekezela Mphoko on Sunday dished out cash and foodstuffs at a rally to drum up support for Zanu PF’s candidate in the Chikanga-Dangamvura by-election as the ruling party pulls out all stops to win seats vacated by MDC-T MPs.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

Zanu PF has launched an aggressive campaign ahead of the 16 by-elections to be held across the country on June 10.

Mphoko, who was the guest of honour at the campaign rally for the ruling party’s Chikanga-Dangamvura candidate Esau Mupfumi, dished out cash and wheelchairs to selected party members.

A truckload of rice was parked at the venue in what observers described as a clear violation of electoral laws.

Businessman Phillip Chiyangwa publicly flaunted $1 000 which he handed over to Mphoko to give to party supporters at the rally.

Phillip Chiyangwa
Phillip Chiyangwa

The Affirmation Action Group donated $1 000 while Higher and Tertiary Education minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri also gave $50 to an unidentified girl who had tumbled in a race organised to entertain guests.

Zanu PF members were later given several tonnes of rice to distribute among themselves.

Addressing the rally, Mphoko said he was happy that candidates who lost during the primary elections had joined hands with Mupfumi to ensure a resounding victory for Zanu PF.

Mupfumi is contesting against seven other candidates, mostly independents.

The seat fell vacant after the former area MP Arnold Tsunga was recalled by the MDC-T alongside 21 other MPs on charges of crossing the floor to form a splitter group called the MDC-Renewal Team.

“I am happy that you are united here and l will try to implement that in Matabeleland,” Mphoko said.

“I don’t have much to say because it is very clear that we are assured of victory in the coming elections.

“Vote for Zanu PF, all the ministers are from Zanu PF, if you vote for Mupfumi you will be voting for President Robert Mugabe.

“My birthday is on 11 June and it will be nice if you phone on the day saying that we have won, it will be a nice present for me”.

Other party stalwarts who attended the rally included Zanu PF commissar Saviour Kasukuwere, Indigenisation minister Christopher Mushohwe, ICT Postal and Courier Services minister Supa Mandiwanzira, Manicaland Provincil Affairs minister Mandi Chimene, former Energy deputy minister Munacho Mutezo and Chipinge South Member of Assembly Enock Porusingazi.

Gospel musicians Hosiah Chipanga and Blessing Shumba entertained the crowd.

Zanu PF has also reportedly given villagers in Tsholotsho North packs of rice as part of Information minister Jonathan Moyo’s campaign to recapture the seat he lost to MDC-T in 2013.

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