Aspiring MDC-T candidates buy houses in targeted constituencies

 

Both Mr Mukahlera, a former Member of Parliament for Gweru Central, and Mr Chimina, a Gweru City Council employee, are not from Chiwundura and have been facing resistance from villagers who claimed that they were “tired” of voting for outsiders.

Sources within MDC-T said the two have since approached different village heads in Chiwundura where they have bought a homestead and a stand each in a desperate bid to win over the electorate.

“The two, who have been going to Chiwundura campaigning under the MDC-T ticket, have been facing resistance from villagers who said they were tired of voting into power people from outside their area,” said a source.

“The villagers are arguing that outsiders have never shown interest in developing the area whenever they are voted into power and they are now keen to vote for a local candidate regardless of party affiliation.”

The source said Mr Mukahlera later visited village head Jega under Chief Gambiza who gave him a piece of land.
“Mr Chimunya also approached Mr Aaron Mabungu a village head under Chief Chiwundura where he bought a homestead.

“He is sprucing up the homestead which had been deserted by its owners, while Mr Mukahlera has since built a two-roomed house at his new home,” said the source.
Mr Chimina confirmed that he was “sprucing” up a homestead in Mabhungu.

He claimed that he was originally from Chiwundura, but was also a resident of Mkoba Village 4 which is part of Chiwundura constituency.
“I am originally from Chiwundura and for me to spruce up my ancestors’ homestead is not a sin,” he said.

“However, I don’t know whether my colleague (Mr Mukahlera) is from Chiwundura as well. I hear he is building a new homestead in Chiwundura.”
Efforts to get a comment form Mr Mukahlera were fruitless as his mobile phone was being answered by someone else.

Village head Jega confirmed that Mr Mukahlera was building a home in his area.
“Mr Mukahlera approached me saying he wanted a stand in my area,” he said.

“I did not sell the piece of land to him. I only gave it for free after he said he would want to occasionally meet orphans in my area at the home so that he could donate something to them.”