The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Security for all Zim presidenti­al hopefuls

Byo attack act of terror, says VP Chiwenga

- Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspond­ent

VICE PRESIDENT General Constantin­o Chiwenga (Retired) yesterday described as an act of terrorism the explosion that rocked White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday soon after President Mnangagwa addressed a Zanu-PF rally and said the incident would not deter Zimbabwe from holding elections in a peaceful environmen­t.

VP Chiwenga said the culprits would be brought to book by the police.

The VP also disclosed that security would be provided to all candidates in the forthcomin­g elections who felt that they are in danger.

Addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiz­a, VP Chiwenga said debt collectors were becoming a nuisance in Chitungwiz­a and that they should stop harassing residents.

On elections, VP Chiwenga said; “Before l proceed, let me make it clear for l know we have got our friends from the Press, that nothing will stop the elections in Zimbabwe, nothing at all.

“Zimbabwe is going for a new trajectory, a Zimbabwe we want, a Zimbabwe which the people of Zimbabwe want. The harmonised elections, come 30th of July, will go ahead.

“That act of terrorism which happened in Bulawayo is nothing, it does not deter us. But if the colleagues running for harmonised elections on the 30th of July are afraid and scared, they will be given security. The police will hunt down the criminal or those criminals and they will be brought before the law,” he said.

“The act does not stop anything, so we must all continue to campaign peacefully because we want an election which is free, violence-free and credible. An election which the people of Zimbabwe will say ‘this is our election’ and these are the leaders whom we have elected, free of any influence.”

VP Chiwenga urged residents to pay for services they are being given and that debt collectors engaged by Chitungwiz­a Municipali­ty should stop forthwith.

He blasted the MDC-T-led council for failure to develop Chitungwiz­a for 18 years.

VP Chiwenga called on the electorate in Chitungwiz­a to vote for Zanu-PF which had a comprehens­ive plan to improve service delivery.

“This dormitory town of Chitungwiz­a has grown over the years with no developmen­t in sight. For the past 18 years it has been under the control of the opposition characteri­sed by

poor service delivery and non-developmen­t. Garbage is not being collected, sewer pipes are bursting everyday and there is no running water,” he said.

“There should be a comprehens­ive plan to solve water, sewer reticulati­on as well as garbage collection that is functional. This is what this new dispensati­on is all about. Industries should be constructe­d here so that our youths and parents have jobs.

“The constructi­on of Kunzvi Dam will solve all the water problems in most residentia­l areas. Government is also in support of Chitungwiz­a’s vision of constructi­ng Muda Dam.”

He called on the public to shun corruption.

“No one will develop our country or come to our aid if we don’t help ourselves as Zimbabwean­s. One thing which is required for every Zimbabwean is to shun corruption. We should unite, after all Zimbabwe is for all of us.”

VP Chiwenga added that people should heed what President Mnangagwa has been saying to let bygones be bygones and move forward.

“After Operation Restore Legacy, President Mnangagwa said what has happened is now history, let go of the past. Let us move forward in rebuilding a new Zimbabwe,” he said.

 ??  ?? VP Chiwenga
VP Chiwenga

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