adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF candidates in Bulawayo who last week lost elections to the MDC-T have vowed to double their efforts in mobilising support for the party and continue working with the people. MDC-T retained all the 12 National Assembly seats and won 29 council wards in Bulawayo. However, in separate interviews yesterday, Zanu-PF candidates described last week’s defeat as a “motivational” eye opener, which challenges them to work extra hard to win the people’s hearts.
“We will not stop our programmes. Whatever we promised the people we will deliver. We will be more vibrant and visible to the people as we work towards 2018,” said Cde Mlungisi Moyo (36) who was contesting for the Bulawayo Central seat.
“We realised that MDC-T does not have loyal members but won out of a protest vote. Their candidates did not campaign like us. This election was an eye opener for us, we accept its result and we are motivated by it.
“We are geared to address the immediate problems of water and industry in this city. Our underlying philosophy of indigenisation and empowerment enables us to deliver.
“This time around we want people in Bulawayo to have a practical feel of our programmes. We will champion the cause of Matabeleland and respond to regional needs.”
Cde Moyo is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Statistics from the University of Zimbabwe and is studying towards a Masters in Operations Research at the National University of Science and Technology.
He said although his party lost the election in the city, the number of people who voted for Zanu-PF improved compared to that of 2008.
Cde Moyo, the former Innscor branch manager and owner of Neeraf Investment said voter apathy remains a challenge in Bulawayo and said political education programmes were essential.
“Our people need to be informed about the importance of voting and how this impacts on development. We need to draw inspiration from other provinces.
“I believe we have a leadership that is geared to take the party’s programmes up and ensure that we win the next elections. I also applaud the unity of purpose that the leadership exhibited during our campaigns,” he said.
Cde Joseph Tshuma who lost the Mpopoma-Pelandaba seat to MDC-T’s Mr Bekithemba Nyathi said Zanu-PF would address the revival of industries.
“As a party we now understand people’s grievances better and we will address them. I noted that a majority of voters were men who I believe lost their jobs when companies closed. These people believed that MDC-T would give them jobs,” said Cde Tshuma.
“Zanu-PF will revive Bulawayo and re-open firms. We will roll out empowerment programmes and create jobs. As I speak I am on the ground speaking to the people. Bulawayo cannot afford to continue voting for leaders who cannot deliver.”
Cde Godfrey Malaba who was defeated by MDC-T’s Mr Albert Mhlanga said in Pumula constituency the electorate was duped into believing the MDC-T despite the fact that the party has failed to do anything for the city in the last decade.
“MDC-T thrived on the crisis that affected the country a few years back but its leadership has failed to deliver,” said Cde Malaba.
“MDC-T won because people were intimidated and told lies that their jobs will be secure if MDC-T won. Some company owners deliberately closed firms to force workers to vote for MDC-T.”
Zanu-PF Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, who also lost Makokoba seat to MDC-T Bulawayo provincial chairman Mr Gorden Moyo, has said the next five years are an opportunity for the revolutionary party to sharpen its ammunition and prepare for the next elections.
He urged party members not to lose heart but to increase their mobilisation efforts and save Bulawayo from continued stagnation under MDC-T.
Since the 2000 elections, a year after MDC was formed, Bulawayo has been run by the opposition, which has been accused of running down the city.
Online Reporter