The Sunday News
Lungile Tshuma and Mncedisi Buhali
SCORES of MDC-T members in Makokoba constituency yesterday defected to the ruling Zanu-PF at a rally addressed by the party’s candidate Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, ahead of the 10 June by-elections.
The development came as reports indicated yesterday that Zanu-PF candidate Cde David Musabayana pulled off a crushing victory in the Wedza North by-election held on Friday to retain the revolutionary party’s seat in the National Assembly.
Cde Musabayana polled 9 021 way ahead of other contestants Mudzingwa Chikukwa (NCA) who had 178, Tichaona Makara (Transform Zimbabwe) with 140 and Nyarai Manhimhanzi with 88.
At the Makokoba rally yesterday, a total of 47 MDC-T members turned their backs on the party including Ms Helen Mpofu, who was the youth national organising secretary and Mr Thabani Sithole, the provincial organising secretary for Bulawayo.
In separate interviews on the sidelines of the rally, the defectors said they decided to join Zanu-PF after they realised that the opposition party did not have people at heart.
Rtd Col Tshinga Dube urged opposition supporters to join the ruling party because the party had people-driven policies. “I want to improve this area and people’s lives. I have demonstrated that I can improve their lives through many projects which I have rolled out. I am not going to parliament for money but to represent people,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters attended a rally for Zanu-PF Luveve constituency candidate Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo.
The rally which was held in Cowdray Park was also attended by Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, central committee member Cde Anna Moyo, National Youth deputy secretary for administration Cde Sibongile Sibanda and Bulawayo youth provincial chairman Cde Khumbulani Mpofu.
“I have heard your concerns through our candidate Cde Mlilo, especially people from Cowdray Park. I know what needs to be done, but what I want to tell you is that we are tired of asking for help from the MDC council, hence some of the things we will do them by force. There are many things we will do by force, but this will be possible if we tell everyone that everything is okay if we work with Zanu-PF, so vote for Cde Mlilo on 10 June,” said Cde Sandi Moyo.
“If we lose this election, Bulawayo will be dead, so as we are going to vote tell others that not voting Zanu-PF will get us nowhere.”
Cde Mlilo said people had seen what he had done especially at Cowdray Park and vowed to work even harder once in office.
