Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy whose electoral processes are guided by laws of the land and the electorate should not be lured into engaging in activities aimed at undermining democratic and legal processes, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
VP Chiwenga said this when he addressed thousands of ruling Zanu PF supporters at Chiunye Primary School in Mt Darwin South constituency yesterday.
The rally in Mt Darwin follows unfounded claims by former Cabinet minister Mr Saviour Kasukuwere that the ruling Zanu PF party had a hand in his disqualification as a presidential election candidate by the High Court.
This was after the court found that the former legislator for Mt Darwin South had failed to meet the basic requirement of being a registered voter to enable him to contest in the August 23 elections.
Addressing the gathering, VP Chiwenga said he was heartened by the people of Mt Darwin’s high level of political maturity and consciousness which saw them distancing themselves from Mr Kasukuwere’s failed attempt for the presidency.
He said such political consciousness, horned in the liberation struggle, had been a key cog in Mt Darwin’s resolute support for the quest for independence.
He paid tribute to the ruling party’s supporters for continuing to back the revolution particularly at a time President Mnangagwa had set the economy on a path to rapid economic growth.
“What we want is for people to follow the national Constitution if they want to participate in elections,” said VP Chiwenga.
“There is this gentleman who comes from near this place. He sold out and sought to take the ruling party as personal property. That is impossible. Zanu PF cannot fit in anyone’s pocket but we all fit inside Zanu PF.
“This idea of trying to disrupt our elections will not succeed. If you grandstand, undermining our processes it is you who will fail.
“Our Constitution is clear that our courts are there to interpret the law. If you fall foul of the law, you can’t turn around and start maligning others who were not part to your transgressions,” said VP Chiwenga.
The Constitution, under Section 169, stipulated that if one wanted to participate in elections, there was a period one was expected to be ordinarily resident in the country.
“That law cannot be changed to suit anybody. It is the law. If you want to be a candidate, you must meet the minimum set requirements,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said the ruling party and its presidential candidate were ready to face anybody at the polls and were confident of romping to victory on the back of economic development projects being championed by the Second Republic.
He implored the electorate to resoundingly vote for President Mnangagwa and the ruling party candidates so that the Second Republic could continue with the development work currently being championed across the country.
Mt Darwin South ruling party parliamentary candidate Cde Kudakwashe Mupamhanga said the revolution was safe as people in the constituency were ready to affirm it by resoundingly voting for President Mnangagwa on August 23.
“Illegal structures will be demolished soon. We reported the matter to the ZRP and the Harare City Council and they are seized with the matter.”
Harare’s Women’s League chair Cde Ratidzo Mukarati said women should vote in their numbers next month.
“The outcome of the election will be determined by women. The president is supporting women programmes to ensure they are capacitated,” said Cde Mukarati.
She commended the First Lady Dr Amai Mnangagwa for availing a front-end loader to rehabilitate roads in Retreat.
Zanu PF Youth League Secretary for Administration Cde Tendai Chiwetu said frantic efforts were be“We are having some awareness campaigns to make sure that the issue of drug abuse is addressed. We are saying no to drug abuse.
“We are gathered here in Hunyani Constituency where we are campaigning for our candidates. The message is very clear. We are going to vote in numbers for President Mnangagwa and his team,” said Cde Chiwetu.
DCC six vice chairman Cde Hardlife Maphosa and Kumbirai Kangai District Youth Affairs chairman Cde Douglas Tomu said youth should have a high level of discipline during campaign period.
Retreat resident Miss Kudzai Chitogwenya: “We are happy to have some campaigning teams who are doing their duties peacefully.
“Results on the ground will speak for themselves come election period. President Mnangagwa has done remarkable work which needs to be supported by all progressive minds.” Heralding made to stop drug abuse among the youths.
