Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE ruling ZANU PF party took its voter mobilisation drive to Gokwe-Chireya this Thursday, as the party continues to drum up support for the general elections set for the 23rd of August.
The party’s candidates in Gokwe-Chireya got their campaign underway on a positive note after being backed by Chief Chireya.
This comes after Jeremiah Ndhlukulani, a former ZANU PF District Coordinating Committee Secretary for Lands, who lost during the party’s primary elections filed nomination papers as an independent candidate which has not gone down well with the traditional leadership.
“We ran the race and it’s over. The ancestors have given us President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Torerai Moyo. We have to embrace what the outcome has for us. If you go outside ZANU PF, it means you are no longer one of us,” said Chief Chireya.
The candidates are ready for the task at hand.
“I want to assure you that I will continue with the development trajectory we have started. I will continue to build bridges so that our area becomes accessible. There are other infrastructural developments we have started in this area which require completion and am here to serve you.” said the aspiring legislator, Honourable Torerai Moyo.
“I am ready to represent you in this area. I can assure you that all development projects are right on course,” said aspiring councillor for Zanda Ward 9, Cde Trynos Nyamupanda.
The ZANU PF leadership which graced the event urged the electorate to safeguard the country’s heritage through voting for the ruling party in the general elections.
“What you need to understand is that ZANU PF has clearly defined candidates. Chiefs as traditional leaders have no space to support opposition politics. It’s high time we incorporated our traditional leaders in our political campaigns,” said ZANU PF Politburo member, Engineer Mackenzie Ncube.
“We have presented to you our official candidates in this year’s general elections. Let no one abuse the party’s name when they know they have left the party. That we will not accept. If Ndhlukulani wants to come back to the party, there is still room for that but he still has to know that he has to start from the bottom as he expelled himself after declaring that he wants to stand as an independent candidate,” said ZANU PF Midlands Provincial Chairman, Senator Larry Mavima.
The Gokwe-Chireya constituency is one of the ruling party’s strongholds after it scored the highest number of votes for ZANU PF in the Midlands province in previous elections.
