adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Masvingo businessman and war veteran Cde Taguma Mazarire has expressed interest in running for the Masvingo Urban seat on a Zanu-PF ticket in the forthcoming harmonised elections.
The move by Cde Mazarire comes as several ruling party bigwigs in Masvingo District have been positioning themselves to represent Zanu-PF in the constituency that was held by Dr Daniel Shumba before his expulsion from the party.
Dr Shumba won the seat after beating Mr Tongai Matutu of MDC-T. However, it is Cde Mazarire’s entry into the race for the Masvingo Urban seat that is set to ignite a fierce contest for the Parliamentary seat that is also reportedly being eyed by Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial secretary for Transport and Welfare Cde Goddard Dunira and businessman Cde Eddison Zvobgo Junior.
Speaking after launching a $1 million quarry-processing plant, about 20km along Masvingo-Mashava Road recently, Cde Mazarire said his decision to contest the Masvingo Urban seat was in response to calls by people in the constituency.
“As a war veteran I am heeding clarion calls by people in Masvingo Urban that I should come and lead them. Fellow war veterans and youths in the party (Zanu-PF) have been loud and clear that I should represent them and just like what President Mnangagwa always say, the voice of the people is the voice of God,’’ he said.
The businessman said the ascendancy of President Mnangagwa to the Presidency had revived hopes of a prosperous future for Zimbabwe hence his decision to answer to people’s calls for him to contest the Masvingo Urban seat.
“I have not yet started campaigning, but I will roll out my campaign programme once the party has announced primary elections date.
“I am very hopeful that people will be on my side and I will sail through in the primaries with all due respect to others who are also interested to represent Zanu-PF,” said Cde Mazarire.
Turning to his quarry processing plant, Cde Mazarire said the investment was motivated by the $1 billion Beitbridge-Harare dualisation project.
He said upon reaching full production the plant will employ more than 200 permanent employees.
“President Mnangagwa has already spelt out his Government’s vision for jobs creation through the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ slogan,” said Cde Mazarire.
Besides a quarry processing plant Cde Mazarire also founded money lending outlets across most rural parts of Masvingo province through his company Hilthru Enterprises that employs a number of people.
“Masvingo has a lot of potential to develop into an economic hub on the back of increased investment, people only need to have the same vision with our President and this city will grow.’’
Cde Mazarire also hailed President Mnangagwa’s achievements in his first 100 days in office and urged the nation to rally behind the Zanu-PF Presidential candidate owing to his vision to grow Zimbabwe’s economy.
Cde Mazarire is not new in politics. He contested and lost Zanu-PF primary elections for the Masvingo West parliamentary seat in 2013 to Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Ezra Chadzamira.
Online Reporter