Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma recently in Esigodini
THE ruling Zanu-PF party says it is geared for a resounding victory in the Ward 15 by-election in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South.
The by-election will be held on Saturday and comes after the death of Councillor Handsome Sibanda (CCC), who died early this year. Since last week, Zanu-PF launched a full scale campaign that has seen Central Committee members and legislators from the province taking part.
Last Thursday, Central Committee member, Cde Dingumuzi Phuti, led a campaign team to one of the polling stations at Falcon College, reportedly the stronghold of the opposition.
He met with Falcon College and Limme Mine workers accompanied by Zanu-PF Matabeleland South main wing political commissar, Cde Washington Nkomo, Zanu-PF National Consultative Assembly member Cde Abigail Damasane, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South Youth League political commissar, Cde Lance Phiri and Zanu-PF Ward 15 by-election candidate, Cde Sifelani Dube, among other senior party members.
Addressing the gathering, Cde Phuti implored the electorate to choose the ruling party candidate to ensure smooth flow of development in the area.
“We are here as the ruling party to come and ask you as the electorate to make the right decisions that will make sure that you live the lives that you desire, which are associated with development in all spheres,” he said.
“When you choose a Zanu-PF councillor to work with the sitting Zanu-PF legislator Cde Levi Mayihlome, you are automatically assured of meaningful development in the area.
“This is so because you have elected into office people with the same vision and focus as envisioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” said Cde Phuti.
In his remarks, Cde Dube said he was committed to serving people of Ward 15 with respect and utmost love.
“Ward 15 is a new ward formed under the delimitation process in 2022. It saw the combination of different people from different wards,” he said.
“Some of these people have suffered negligence from their wards, especially from the opposition. They have never seen service delivery for the past 20 years.
“As the Zanu-PF councillor candidate under the Second Republic, our vision is to see these areas going into transformation, which has already started.
“They have seen drilling of two boreholes and some are still to be drilled. We are also in the process of grading roads,” said Cde Dube.
He said he has a number of programmes that he would want to pursue when he is voted into office.
“We want to improve community facilities in a bid to curb drug abuse, improve road networks and public transportation, promote local business and entrepreneurship, improve access to health care facilities, support local farmers and artisanal miners, support the vulnerable groups and improve access to education through support of schools,” said Cde Dube.
“Therefore, I pledge transparency, accountability, effective communication, inclusive citizen participation and efficient use of public resources.”
Cde Phiri said since the campaign started, the ruling party has delivered powerful messaging as it seeks to win the hearts of the electorate.
— @mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter