Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE campaign for the Nkulumane Constituency by-election set for December 20 intensified yesterday when six of the nine candidates vying for the seat engaged in a rigorous town hall debate, directly engaging the electorate and outlining their visions for the community.
The election will fill the National Assembly seat left vacant following the tragic death Mr Desire Moyo, in a road accident on October 10 this year.
The debate, held at a packed Nkulumane Hall, provided a critical platform for aspirants to directly engage the electorate, present their manifestos, and field challenging questions on long-standing local issues.
The lively session was attended by Zanu-PF party’s candidate Cde Freedom Murechu, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s candidate Mr Mothusi Ndlovu (popularly known as Madlela Skhobokhobo), Mr Vivian Viyo Sibanda (Zapu), Ms Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T), and independent candidates, former Bulawayo City Council (BCC) councillor for Ward 22, Alderman Rodney Jele, and Mr Mbuso Fuzwayo.
Three candidates did not attend the vital democratic exercise, and these are Mrs Ester Excellia Zitha, the widow of the late legislator Moyo, Mr Alson Moyo of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Mrs Nompilo Ncube-Malaba, representing the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC).
The event provided an opportunity for voters to compare and contrast the different approaches to local governance and development, forcing candidates to move beyond general promises and articulate tangible solutions to pressing concerns.
Cde Murechu, was particularly effective in articulating his plan, eloquently expressing how the party’s national development agenda will be localised to bring tangible change to the constituency.
He used the platform to intensify his campaign to win the seat, stating that all party structures were ready to drum up support ahead of the poll.
He detailed specific projects under the banner of the ruling party, including Government-backed initiatives for housing and infrastructure upgrades, assuring the residents that Nkulumane will not be left behind in the country’s drive towards an upper-middle-income economy.
In his address to the media on the sidelines of the event, Cde Murechu detailed his vision and the practical steps his party has already undertaken in the area.
“We are here at Nkulumane Hall for a town hall meeting where the candidates are interfacing with the electorate and delivering their manifestos.
“As the Zanu-PF candidate, I am running again for the December 2025 elections, having already secured victory for the party in 2023,” Cde Murechu said.
“Today, I articulated both the national and my personal manifestos. The key issues raised were centred on: youth and women empowerment, focusing on economic inclusion and opportunities, social welfare, aimed at creating a welfare society for the elderly and disadvantaged groups; infrastructure development and service delivery, addressing local needs like water and power; and skills training and funding, providing essential skills training and financial support for youth and women.”
Cde Murechu was keen to stress action over mere promises.
“I made it clear that we are not just promising to address these issues once elected to Parliament; we have already started working.
“Specifically, we have introduced extensive skills training programmes within the constituency, targeting youth and women.
“We have also initiated community projects, including drilling boreholes and fixing or installing new electricity transformers,” he noted.
“Furthermore, in line with the President’s directive that we must ‘leave no place and no one behind’ ahead of Vision 2030, we have already started giving food hampers to our elderly people, especially as we approach the Christmas season.”
He emphasised a community-centric model of representation.
“Above all, I articulated my strong belief in community-led development. This model is entirely based on participation, where the community itself meets, deliberates on issues, prioritises its projects, and decides what it wants to achieve.
“My role, if elected, is not to be the boss of the constituency, but the messenger of the people,” he stated.
“I will serve as the mouthpiece of the people, sending information to the Government and reporting back to the constituency.
“I work closely with our diverse community… Working together as a cohesive community is the only way to achieve community-led development, ensure accountability for resources like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and address local challenges effectively.”
Cde Murechu appealed to voters to ensure alignment with the central Government.
“Finally, I reminded the populace that the Zanu-PF party is already in Government, with the President being a Zanu-PF member.
“What is critically needed now is to ‘complete the circuit’. We currently experience a ‘short circuit’ in our communication and delivery channels.
“By electing a Zanu-PF Member of Parliament, we can ensure a seamless flow of information and resources, allowing the MP to work closely with the party and the Government of the day.
“Electing a non-Zanu-PF person simply perpetuates that communication breakdown.”
Zanu-PF officially launched its massive political campaign at Amaveni Primary School grounds on Sunday.
Top leadership, led by the party’s National Political Commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha, pledged a radical wave of improvements in service delivery and economic empowerment for the community.
The pledges included the drilling of 18 boreholes to address critical water shortages, an immediate fix for sewer infrastructure, the donation of modern ICT equipment to schools, and the immediate replacement of non-functional electricity transformers.
