Zim-based Mozambicans vote

Politics
Hundreds of Mozambicans resident in and around Masvingo province, especially from the mining town of Mashava, were yesterday bussed in Zupco coaches to vote at the Chiefs Hall in Mucheke suburb, in their country’s fifth presidential vote since a 1992 peace deal which ended a civil war.

Hundreds of Mozambicans resident in and around Masvingo province, especially from the mining town of Mashava, were yesterday bussed in Zupco coaches to vote at the Chiefs Hall in Mucheke suburb, in their country’s fifth presidential vote since a 1992 peace deal which ended a civil war.

Tatenda Chitagu Own Correspondent

The Mozambicans were voting for a new president, parliament and provincial assemblies in polls expected to ease the simmering tension between long-time foes, Renamo and Frelimo.

Alfonso Dlakama leads Renamo, while the ruling Frelimo candidate is former Defence minister, Filipe Nyusi, as outgoing President Aarmando Guebuza, is not eligible for another term.

Daviz Simango is the presidential candidate for his Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) party.

Several Zupco buses were spotted in Mashava, where the majority of the Mozambicans, who were working at the mines were based, as well as farms surrounding Masvingo, picking up people and dropping them at Chiefs Hall.

Several Mozambicans nationals interviewed said they were told that there would be shuttle buses to pick them up from Mashava and confirmed they had not paid anything.

“We were just told buses would be provided,” a Mozambican, who only identified himself as Alimando, said.

“Who provided them and at what the cost is another matter.

“What we are concerned about is whether they are going to pick us back to Mashava, as they are nowhere near to be seen now.”

It, however could not be established by the time of going to print whether the Zupco buses were hired and paid for and by who between the three main parties, Renamo, Frelimo and the MDM.

Others, however, from as far as Gokwe, said they financed their own travel by public transport. Others hired private kombis that were milling around the polling venue.

A Mozambican consulate official, who was at the polling station — the only one in Masvingo province — said political parties or the Zimbabwean government, which she described as friendly, could have hired the buses.

Efforts to get a comment from Zupco were fruitless by the time of going to print.

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