adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF is not taking anything for granted in Headlands constituency and so far its support for -Cde Christopher Chingosho – led by the party’s legal affairs guru, Cde Patrick Chinamasa is not only in words, but in action. Many leaders talk about doing what is right, but only the true ones actually do it and Cde Chinamasa and his troops are demonstrating commitment to reclaim back the seat to Zanu-PF in June 10 by-election.
With voters looking forward to real development taking place in Headlands, Zanu-PF has to come up with a completely new product that is relevant, appealing and implementable.
It is not a given though as the ruling party still has some hurdles to clear before popping the champagne bottles.
Cde Chinamasa and his team have a mammoth task to demonstrate true leadership and rectify cracks in the house whose collapse will find them the only occupants and casualties.
“All eyes are focused on Headlands, and we have come up with a roadmap for development which is not only credible and sustainable, but also implementable.
“We are targeting every voter to support our candidate. We cannot take chances. If we win, the victory has to be a resounding one,” said Cde Chinamasa.
By virtue of being Zanu-PF’s senior official in Makoni after the fall from grace of former secretary for administration, Mr Didymus Mutasa, one can actually decipher the importance of his call for unison since he will get singled out if the party candidate loses the seat either to – Mr David Mukunda (NCA) or Mr Albert Mukaratirwa (Independent).
“We cannot take chances. No. You are aware that we expelled Didymus Mutasa from the party over his numerous transgressions, and he did not took that decision lightly and is spoiling for a fight. We have to be united and bury him,” Cde Chinamasa further appealed.
His warning could be deducted in the context of rumblings of Mr Mutasa and the effect that it might have on the faint-hearted. With Mr Mutasa completely unfazed and openly throwing his weight behind Mr Mukaratirwa, the question that begs asking is what is emboldening him to this extent and people are justified for wanting to wonder what will happen in the Headlands by-election.
The Dutch courage of Mr Mutasa can only be dismissed for hot air after the conclusion of the poll.
Mr Mukaratirwa said the reception that he has received so far has been encouraging, but denied any links with Mr Mutasa or the so-called People First.
“Everything is progressing well and so far I have been received well on the basis that people want someone who is not attached to any political party given the political hatred that has ravaged the constituency for close to a decade.
“I have no communication links with vaMutasa. Neither do I know his plans. He submitted his papers as Zanu-PF and I regard him as such.
“How can I work with someone who is refusing to be fired from Zanu-PF?” said Mr Mukaratirwa.
Though Mr Mukaratirwa denied a pact with Mr Mutasa, the ruling party must put its act together, aware that election results are as easy to predict as they are to misjudge. The devil in the detail is reflected by the mood on the good as opposed to the mood in the air.
The revolutionary party should leave nothing to chance notwithstanding the fact that Mr Mutasa is clutching at any straw and mobilising support against Cde Chingosho. The party must speak with one voice and act with one mind in order to guarantee the Headlands seat for itself.
“It is true that Didymus is mobilising support against me. He has thrown his weight behind one of my rivals and that support is well documented.
“I am happy with the support from the leadership and grassroots. The combined effort has put us on the driving seat,” said Cde Chingosho.
Cde Chingosho said he was working well with those he defeated in the primaries, arguing that squabbling among them should never be allowed to gain perennial status as this has the effect of disorienting the voting public with uncertain ramifications which will erode the influence that the party enjoys in Headlands.
“We are working together since unity is absolutely essential especially given an environment where one can no longer associate the party with singleness of purpose as has been the case prior to the emergence of the gamatoxs bent on undoing what the party has always represented since its formation.
“Headlands is unique because of the influence Didymus Mutasa had in the party and Government. So far Cdes Chinamasa and Muchinguri have helped a lot to demystify that perception since people have been voting for Zanu-PF and not Didymus as an individual,” added Cde Chingosho.
However, that popularity should not result in complacency on part of anybody who still pays homage to the founding ideals, values, beliefs and principles which were critical for the success of the armed struggle, the realisation of independence, the economic empowerment and indiginisation strides realised and enjoyed so far.
Neither should that dominion be spoiled by the needless bickering amongst the leaders at various levels of the party.
That would be tragic and must be avoided at all costs.
The other challenge Cde Chingosho faces in Headlands is on the traditional front following the emergence of two schools of thought – one opposing and the other one supporting his candidature.
This emanates from the clashes of two chieftainships namely Makoni and Chipunza. Cde Chingosho is a descendant of Chipunza Clan, which has been playing second fiddle to the Makonis, partly because of suppression by Mr Mutasa.
There is a perception by traditional leaders loyal to Makoni that the rise of Cde Chingosho is “an evil” that must be thwarted as it poses a threat to their dominion in Headlands.
Chipunza (Jembere) and Makoni (Muswere) are blood brothers, with the former as the eldest son of Sabarawara (Mubvakure).
These chieftainship wrangles have potential to severely affect the mood of the voting public and spoil the party for Cde Chingosho. This matter requires urgent attention.
Reports abound that some discontent traditional leaders are holding Nicodemous meeting plotting against the Zanu-PF candidate. The impact is that those voters may heed their leaders’ instructions and play a bhora musango, which may weigh heavily against the ruling party candidate.
“Focus should be on bringing the two to a common understanding, as supported by history that there can never be war between the two brothers and that any differences are resolved easily as members of the same family, especially noting that Chipunza and Makoni share the same totem Nyati.
It is the occupation of pretenders to the throne who are haunted by their own shadows and seek to create differences when none exist given the collaborative efforts mounted by Makoni and Chipunza each time they were confronted with a common enemy dating back to the 19th century and that precious history cannot be written off by some traditional Lilliputians,” said Ishe Donald Kamba Makoni.
Cde Chingosho echoed Ishe Kamba’s words saying he regards Makoni and Chipunza as his fathers.
“We have jealousy people bringing in such non-existent controversies. There is nothing to fear.
“The two are my fathers and how can I be a threat to them. I will work and serve them as my parents.
“Whatever differences that may be there could be resolved amicably as an in-house matter,” said Cde Chingosho.
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