Bikita East Member of Parliament Edmore Marima issued the warning at a rally he held at Mushambanevhu Business Centre in the constituency last weekend. “We do not want seasonal politicians. They spend most of their time enjoying the comfort of their mansions in Harare only to come back when elections are around the corner,” Marima said.
There is serious jockeying for winning seats in primary elections to represent the parties in parliamentary, senatorial and council seats in the district for both MDC and Zanu (PF).
Vote buying is rampant among those fighting for candidacy. Zanu (PF) is the most affected as politicians from the party battle to outsmart each other in the primaries.
“We are seeing interesting developments from politicians in our area. In the past, some donated graders to repair the roads barely two months before election time while others donated computers to schools without electricity. It is time the voters opened their eyes and questioned such political grandstanding,” Marima said.
From Zanu (PF) many politicians are eyeing the political seats in the district. Chief among them is former advisor to the Reserve Bank Governor, Munyaradzi Kereke who recently launched a mobile clinic and donated maize to villagers.
To date nothing tangible has been seen to prove the authenticity of the mobile clinic pledge, a development which led Marima to take a swipe at politicians who make false promises to gain political mileage during election time.
“Hunger is wreaking havoc in the area. Donations must not be one-offs. It is bad for politicians to pretend to have the welfare of the people at heart when elections dates are announced,” Marima added.
Post published in: News