Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-The huge numbered win by ZANU PF in the Mwenezi by-elections has been cited as a rigging plot in the making, according to Tendai Biti.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader alleged that the numbers involved in the elections did not tally with the population in the area.
ZANU PF candidate Mr Joosby Omar secured 18 700 votes, while his two rivals, Mr Welcome Masuku of the National Constitutional Assembly, and Mr Turner Mhango of the Free Zimbabwe Congress, received 482 and 386 votes respectively.
According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) voter turnout was 41,9 percent in the constituency which had allegedly 56 000 registered voters.
All the MDC parties did not contest as part of their ongoing push for electoral reforms.
Writing on social media Biti said ZANU PF’s Mwenezi actions revealed the huge task for a free and fair election ahead in 2018.
“That ZANU can scrounge 18700 votes from sparsely populated Mwenezi East speaks volumes about the challenge ahead of us”, he said.
Biti went on to call for speedy resolution to the issue of an opposition coalition stating that most of the obstacles had been dealt with.
“We are all aligned in the what. We now need to put the flesh around the how and a compulsive inclusive vision of a new Zimbabwe”
“We now need to put flesh to the construct of coalition. What are the possible options and what will work best to achieve key objectives”, he said.
The PDP leader who has appeared to be getting back together with former partner MDC-T’s Morgan Tsvangirai said change was inevitable in the country.
“Zimbabwe will rise. The inevitability of change is incontestable. What we need to deal with is the cognitive dissonance on what’s required”
“Zimbabwe is not poor but poorly managed. Fundamental transformation is the only key to unlock full potential to the benefit of all.”
Repeating his earlier assertion the former Finance Minister said adopting the Rand won’t solve the country’s problems.
“Biti on switching to Rand: No point in introducing Rand in Zim, it won’t solve liquidity crisis. Need to generate foreign currency”
ZANU PF has however dismissed statements alleging rigging in Mwenezi stating that opposition parties are crybabies.
“Zanu-pf is a people’s party with an eloquent history of liberating this country from the yoke of colonialism and settlerism. Zanu-pf under the tried and tested leadership of President Mugabe has delivered land to its rightful owners—the black majority of this nation. Unlike the fractured and disgruntled opposition parties, Zanu-pf has principles, sound policies and programmes which address people’s lives.”
“Instead of being cry-babies and dreaming about a grand coalition, they should either disband and join zanu-pf or quit the world of politics altogether. They are a disgrace not only to their few followers but the nation as a whole”, said Somin Khaya Moyo the party’spokesperson.
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