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By Gilbert Munetsi
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s dream to become President and occupy State house was all but a long dream as Zanu PF will rule Zimbabwe forever, President Mnangagwa said Wednesday.
While addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters gathered at Chaminuka Primary School in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, Mnangagwa reiterated that “it would be quicker for one to walk to China than to reach the State House.”
This was the last star rally ahead of by-elections scheduled for Saturday and Mnangagwa queried why the electorate would vote for a party that had no structures serve for advocating for sanctions causing economic ruin.
“Why do you want to go to a party that has no Government, that has no people?
“You voted crooks who cannot do anything good. Imagine a person who begs for sanctions so that people can turn against Zanu PF, but that will never happen because the ruling party will rule forever,” he said.
Mnangagwa had no kind words for local authorities that have failed to deliver effective service to residents while collecting revenue in the form of rates, underlining time was nigh to kick them out of office.
“Over the past 20 years our people have been shortchanged by urban local authorities and there has not been any meaningful development when compared to the rural areas.
“Despite Central Government disbursing ZWL45,4 billion this year for devolution, this money has been abused by councils who prioritise salary increments and posh vehicles for personal use.
“But we have since taken it upon ourselves as government to execute some roles that would be the responsibility of these councils,” he said giving examples of road rehabilitation and borehole drilling.
For the latter, he said it was a short-term measure as plans were on the cards to construct dams that would also enable 350 000-400 000ha of land to be irrigated for adequate food supplies.
Completion of dam projects for Harare and Chitungwiza is expected to take two years.
“We will not put our heads in the sand because of sanctions, but will make use of resources at our disposal to ensure we have enough food for the entire nation.”
He castigated drug peddlers and warned that harsh penalties awaited them.
Mnangagwa said beginning 2023, Government will increase the quota for women parliamentarians and youths. The exercise will also be extended to local authorities.
He said women will constitute 30 percent of House of Assembly Seats while 10 percent of the seats will be allocated to youths, a position he attributed to thorough consultation with his leadership.
Mnangagwa, who was in the company of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Zanu PF second secretary Kembo Mohadi and National chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, was drumming up support for a number of candidates who include Norbert Jinjika contesting for the St Mary’s House of Assembly seat.
Robert Mugabe Junior, who made a surprise appearance at the rally, received a standing ovation when he was summoned to the podium to chant the party slogan.
Prior to the address, the President commissioned one of the 20 boreholes drilled under a Presidential scheme aimed at easing water shortages in the town. Six are now fully-functional. Nhau/Indaba
