He was speaking in Bulawayo at the memorial service for John Landa Nkomo, the late Vice President who died in January this year after a battle with cancer.
President Mugabe said: “Yesterday, you voted for food. Kusasa ke? (What of tomorrow?)”.
Politicians have been accused of luring voters by giving them food handouts and taking advantage of prevailing hunger in most parts of the country.
As they jostle for positions ahead of this year’s harmonised poll, reports of aspiring candidates using money and other material gifts to entice voters have resurfaced.
He added: “Vote correctly, so that what we suffered for can continue to pass as legacy from generation to generation. We want to see whether you are true followers of John Nkomo.”
He urged the electorate to be principled and show that they appreciate the role played by war heroes such as the late Vice President in fighting for the independence of Zimbabwe.
Mugabe said the people of Matabeleland showed that they no longer appreciated the party’s leadership by voting for the opposition.
Matabeleland province has emerged as a hotbed of intense political contestation among the country's main political parties. Since 2000, Zanu (PF) has not won a seat in Bulawayo although it managed to get isolated seats in Matabeleland North and South.
Mugabe called for peace ahead of elections and said there was need for unity of purpose as the country heads for the forthcoming harmonised plebiscite.
Post published in: News