adminMr Bhebhe has been MP for the constituency from year 2000 up to 2009 when he was expelled from the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC and later defected to MDC-T.
It is alleged that Mr Bhebhe, who is believed to be from Filabusi, Insiza District in Matabeleland South, bought a home from one of the villagers in Tohwe area in order to qualify as a candidate for his party in the constituency.
The former MP’s origins have become an issue in the constituency with villagers saying the MDC-T representative lacked an understanding of the challenges they were facing.
The villagers’ sentiments were captured in a passionate address by Ward 16 Councillor Jabulani Manqonda Ncube during a Zanu-PF rally at Mpumelelo Business Centre on Friday, who said Mr Bhebhe has angered the electorate by his constant failure to bring development to the area.
“We have been voting for Mr Bhebhe for all these years, but he has done nothing for us except insulting President Mugabe. I have followed him before and proved him to be empty, which is why I have defected to Zanu-PF,” said Clr Ncube amid applause from the large gathering.
“The problems we have in this constituency emanate from a failed representation. President Mugabe is not to blame, but the MP. This is not surprising because Mr Bhebhe is a ‘foreigner’ here. He comes from Filabusi and does not have an understanding of our problems.”
Clr Ncube urged the people of Nkayi to identify a local candidate and urged villagers to vote Mr Bhebhe out. He said a local candidate would have a sense of responsibility to fully represent his or her people in Parliament.
“Since he got into Parliament we have seen Mr Bhebhe accumulating wealth, getting cars and the land for himself, while people who voted him endure poverty.
“This time around we are saying uBhebhe kahambe kibo (Bhebhe should go back where he comes from).
“Our eyes are open now and we have resolved that we will not vote for a ‘foreigner’. We will only vote for someone from Nkayi.”
Contacted for comment yesterday, Mr Bhebhe said he was not going to lose sleep over the accusations, adding that it was up to the electorate to decide who should lead them.
Online Reporter