All set for by-elections

ALL is set for by-elections tomorrow, with stakeholders putting together all pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, while contesting parties have expressed confidence of romping to victory.

The electoral supervisory board, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), has already oiled its machinery with manpower and material deployed to areas where voting will be taking place.

Contestation in Manicaland will be held in two Parliamentary Constituencies — Dangamvura/Chikanga and Mutasa South — as well as in 15 wards.

In Mutare, by-elections will take place in seven wards, while Chipinge has four vacant council seats.

Makoni, Mutasa, Nyanga and Buhera have one vacant council seat each.

The Dangamvura/Chikanga Parliamentary seat fell vacant after MDC Alliance legislator, Mr Prosper Mutseyami, was recalled from Parliament by the Mr Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T (now contesting as MDC Alliance).

In Mutasa South, Mr Regai Tsunga was also recalled by MDC-T.

For Dangamvura/Chikanga Constituency, Cde Isau Mupfumi will be representing ZANU PF in tomorrow’s by-elections, while Mr Mutseyami will be representing Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Sungura musician Hosiah Chipanga will be representing the Patriotic Zimbabweans party.

Other candidates vying for the same seat include Messrs Taurai Mudzipurwa (MDC Alliance) and Anesu Zaranyika (MA’AT Zimbabwe). In Mutasa South, ZANU PF will be represented by Cde Misheck Mugadza, while Mr Tsunga will be representing CCC.

Mr Pedzisai Tauzeni of MDC Alliance and Ms Eurydice Lynette Ndoro (Independent) have thrown their hats into the ring for Mutasa South.

In an interview with The Manica Post on Wednesday, ZEC Manicaland provincial officer, Mr Thompson Chivereveshe said all was set for the by-elections.

“All officers who will preside over the by-elections were sufficiently trained, while resources have been mobilised. The polling officers are already on the ground, while rehearsals of the actual voting exercise were done yesterday (Thursday),” said Mr Chivereveshe.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo, said law enforcement agents are on high alert to ensure peace and tranquillity prevails before, during and after the by-elections.

“We have a Constitutional mandate derived from Section 219 of the Constitution to detect, investigate and prevent crime, preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe, protect and secure the lives and property of the people, maintain law and order and uphold the Constitution. We are mandated to enforce the law without fear or favour.

“We have fully deployed our members in all areas where the by-elections will be taking place to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevails. We want to hail the people of Manicaland for observing peace before the elections as no incidences of political related violence were reported in the province. This is good for the province and the nation at large,” said Inspector Muzondo.

He, however, said the ZRP is investigating cases of electoral fraud where some people allegedly facilitated the registration of voters using addresses where they do not live.

“Campaign posters were also defaced and that has been brought to our attention for investigations. Those found on the wrong side of the law will be brought to book,” said Inspector Muzondo.

The ruling ZANU PF, which is contesting on all vacant seats, expressed confidence of winning. ZANU PF provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro said the ruling party’s electoral victory is certain.

“We have adequately prepared for the elections and our machinery is ready to roll. We are ready to wrestle the seats that were in the hands of the opposition, be it at Parliamentary or local Government levels. It is said the taste of the pudding is in the eating and the electorate has tasted the bitter pudding prepared by the opposition that has been in control of most urban councils for more than 20 years.

“Poor service delivery is the order of the day in most urban settlements and the electorate has woken up to smell the coffee. ZANU PF is a tried and tested party led by President Mnangagwa, a man who walks his talk.

“If you look at developments taking place on the ground, you will see that ZANU PF takes seriously the issue of improving people’s lives and welfare.

“In Chikanga and Dangamvura, some of the roads that had become impassable death traps are now in perfect conditions,” said Cde Madiro who is also Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister.

He added: “Water woes are now a perennial issue in urban areas, but Government is now moving in to address these challenges. In Mutare, eight boreholes have already been sunk to augment water supplies. True to the ruling party mantra, no one will be left behind, we are taking everyone aboard the Vision 2030 train.”

Cde Madiro also called for peace during and after the by-elections. Weighing in, CCC Manicaland provincial spokesperson, Mr David Panganayi also called for peaceful elections and said his party is ready for the polls.

Patriotic Zimbabweans’ Mr Chipanga is confident of winning.

He said it felt good to be contesting against political heavyweights.

“All is in place and we did our homework. It feels good to be pamamonya ipapo (among the heavyweights), this will work in my favour. When we were campaigning, we realised that water challenges are a thorn in the flesh of residents and I think Dangamvura should be rechristened to Dangazuva because there is no water in that suburb. Water is life and people should not be deprived of this precious commodity,” he said.

Mr Chipanga lashed out at opposition-led councils for poor service delivery.

“They want to be called city fathers, but they are not worthy of that title. They are city children because they are milking residents through rates and levies being charged for services that are not being provided,” he said.

In a bid to promote peaceful polls in the by-elections, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has launched a campaign dubbed “I pray, I vote.”

ZCC programmes officer, Mr Tinashe Gumbo, said peaceful elections would foster unity and promote development.

“Educating people on key electoral processes is important as it helps them to make informed decisions.

“As we get into the March 26 by-elections, we encourage people to vote peacefully. We also pray that those who will be elected will represent the aspirations of the people,” said Mr Gumbo.

Mr Gumbo said winning and losing candidates should put the country’s interests first.