The Sunday News
TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu has challenged people in leadership positions not to become pompous and forget who voted them into power, warning that this results in people shunning them in future.
Speaking during a campaign rally held in Mgodimasili, Tsholotsho, Dr Mpofu said it was unfortunate that in most cases leaders were to blame for losing people to the opposition as they tended to forget where they came from becoming god-like individuals who went on to shun those they led.
He said it was key for leaders to be with the people always so that they could always attract their vote.
“I am here to urge you to vote for Professor Jonathan Moyo who the party gave you as a representative in the upcoming elections. He is not representing himself but representing the only ruling party in this country.
“What you people want are roads, water and development. However, I must assure you that this time around the person who the party has given you is the true leader, he is the only person who will bring development here,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu said the people of Tsholotsho North should feel honoured because while they had initially made the mistake of not voting for Prof Moyo in the 2013 harmonised elections, the Lord heard their plight and given them a chance to rectify their mistake.
“We must stop voting for people who do not bring development, people bent on destroying the nation, people who simply want to reverse the gains of our hard fought independence.
“These MDC people clearly have nothing to offer — even their leader. Someone who goes about boasting that he leads a democratic party but he then goes on to tell people to go spoil ballot papers, where is the democracy in all this? Even the person whom you voted for in 2013 (Roselyn Nkomo) was so confused and did nothing for this constituency, honestly people can we compare Prof Moyo and this Nkomo lady,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said when President Mugabe noted the mistake that had been made by the people of Tsholotsho North by not voting for Prof Moyo in the 2013 election he personally chose him for a ministerial position.
“Just look at the people who have come here to beg you to vote for Prof Moyo, just last week there was Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere was also here, I am here and next week Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko will be here, this is how seriously we are taking this and we respect you.
“Further, I must witness to you all that Prof Moyo is indeed the man for you, I work with him from Politburo level right up to Cabinet level. He is so passionate about Tsholotsho and with him here it ensures that there is a direct link with the President up there and for this reason the development which you have all been clamouring for is assured,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mpofu took a swipe at non-governmental organisations for causing a donor dependency syndrome among villagers and campaigning for opposition parties under the guise of bringing development.
“These NGOs are the very people who campaign for these opposition parties claiming they are bringing development, let us not fall in that trap. We must never allow them to do as they will.
“Come 10 June please let us vote for true development, right now I can assure you that we are working on the road from Tsholotsho centre to Sipepa and very soon work will be commencing on the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road. More is coming, that I can emphasise,” said Minister Mpofu.
Also present at the rally were Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Zenzo Sibanda, Dr Mpofu’s wife Mrs Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu and Tsholotsho Rural District Council chairperson Cde Alois Ndebele.
