Zanu PF is going all out to entice voters ahead of the next election, with the party now sending text messages, even to political opponents, pleading for the endorsement of President Robert Mugabe.
Report by Nduduzo Tshuma
The party started dispatching messages on Monday, as it seeks to woe voters, particularly the youth who have turned their backs on the party.
“Are you a young and progressive Zimbabwean? Have you ever voted before?
“Do you want to help the economy by creating jobs yourself and for many young Zimbabweans?” the text reads.
“President Mugabe is your answer! Register to vote today and vote for indigenisation and empowerment in the next elections.”
Zanu PF, accused of being out of touch with the young voters, has launched a full-scale campaign targetting the youth, taking advantage of new media.
Some of the recipients of the text messages include Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart and Alpha Media Holdings chief executive officer, Raphael Khumalo.
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Coltart yesterday confirmed receiving the text message and expressed concern over how Zanu PF got hold of people’s mobile phone numbers.
“I think it’s not a bad thing using technology to spread the word, but I trust that the mobile service provider would accord the same service to other political parties,” he said.
“There is a concern, however, on the issue of protection of privacy.
“People do not want their phone numbers to be known and we wonder how Zanu PF got hold of those numbers.”
Upon receiving the message, the Education minister joked that the messages could have been misdirected, as he was not young.
Zanu PF is making frantic efforts to appeal to the youth and is reportedly courting prominent personalities to boost its performance in the polls.
There are reports that the party plans to use former Big Brother contestant, Munyaradzi Chidzonga, while a Zanu PF member pleaded with soccer legend Peter Ndlovu to contest elections on its platform.
Ndlovu turned down the offer.
Mugabe, at 89, is pulling all the stops to rebrand himself and his party, as elections loom.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday professed ignorance on the matter.
“I do not know anything about that. I have not seen the messages you are talking about,” he said.
