He said government would buy new luxury vehicles for all the country’s 120 chiefs, and that they should choose the type of car they want.
“It has also been realised that it is not fair to select cars for chiefs. They should choose. If they want an Isuzu, Prado, Pathfinder or even a Mercedes Benz, let them have the cars,” said Chombo.
He accused Finance Minister Tendai Biti of failing to consider the “plight” of chiefs, claiming that Biti was working to strip traditional leaders of their dignity. The move has been viewed by many as a political manoeuvre by Zanu (PF) to guarantee the chiefs’ loyalty and that of their subjects ahead of elections. In the past most chiefs have been used to force their subjects to support Zanu (PF), particularly in the rural areas. They have also been the key perpetrators of partisan distribution of food aid, farming inputs and other schemes supposed to benefit all without regard for political affiliation.
Chombo was not available for comment. Don’t miss next week’s issue when we investigate further.
Post published in: News
There are many forms of vote buying in Zimbabwe. Just to mention a few. The Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust in which the local chiefs are the trustees of the money. This was created as a way of politicking by ZANU-PF in preparation for elections. They buy voter support by promising development in these areas. Companies are required that black Zimbabweans own more than half their shares and this is termed as indigenization. Food aid is used to bait hungry communities. Allocation of residential stands by known leaders of political parties only to those who register to vote. Now comes this latest one where Chombo promises all the country’s 120 chiefs the type of car they want. This is simple for the needed vote reciprocity. Where are we going to end with this vote buying?