For the first time in decades, Mugabe addressed a fully packed stadium in Bulawayo, which has been a strong hold of MDC since 2000.
Zupco and CMED buses started dropping Zanu (PF) supporters from different parts of Matabeleland region at White City early Saturday morning.
Most attendants were carrying bags and blankets as they came a night before the rally.“We came from Insiza last night,” said one of them.
“We were promised to be given food but we have not eaten anything as yet,” another party supporter from Bubi said.
It was evident the crowd did not follow Mugabe’s speech with enthusiasm as people kept chatting as the party leader spoke, with some complaining of hunger.
“We greet our farmers that travelled from rural areas to attend this meeting. I thank you all for coming to this resounding, thunderous meeting,” he said.
When contacted yesterday Zanu (PF) Bulawayo Deputy Provincial Chairman, Killian Sibanda, said : “We never bussed anybody. If there are people who came from outside Bulawayo , they did that on their because they love their President.”
Mugabe yesterday pleaded for votes and said Bulawayo in the 2008 elections made a mistake and voted for “thieves”. “You chose thieves, corrupt characters completely without conscience,” he said.
Post published in: News