‘Zanu PF keeps time; we are organised; our candidates were on time’ – Mnangagwa scorns CCC rivals as he addresses thousands at Bulawayo star rally

By Thabiso Nxumalo I Bulawayo Correspondent

“Zanu PF is organized and keeps time and is organised … we managed to file (our) candidates’ nomination papers in time,” president Emmerson Mnangagwa said Wednesday as he addressed thousands of supporters at a campaign rally in Bulawayo.

He was referring to the barring by the High Court of 12 opposition Citizens Coalition of Change (CCC) parliamentary candidates from the August 23 elections.

They were barred after the court upheld challenges by Zanu PF rivals who contended that the CCC candidates should be disqualified from running for filing their nomination papers after the 4PM deadline on June 21.

The opposition party is appealing the High Court decision at the Supreme Court with a ruling expected Wednesday.

Addressing supporters, Mnangagwa boasted that Zanu PF would, for the first time in many general elections, hold all the 12 parliamentary seats in Bulawayo.

The ruling party only had one legislator in the country’s second largest city – Raj Modi who represents Bulawayo South.

“The opposition parties have failed dismally in offering top tier service delivery to the province and hence in the upcoming elections Zanu PF will take over all parliamentary positions and offer better service delivery,” said Mnangagwa.

He added; “Zanu PF is organized and keeps time as they managed to file their candidate’s nomination papers in time.

“ … those from opposition parties who failed to read programmes and keep time should go back to their former schools and claim back their school fees.”

Mnangagwa then congratulated all 12 Zanu PF candidates for what he described as a landslide victory.

Party bigwigs graced the presidential star rally which was held at the grounds of Mkhithika Thebe Primary school grounds in Cowdry park constituency.

Before the High Court ruling, Cowdry Park was to be battleground for key contest in the general election featuring finance minister Mthuli Ncube for Zanu PF against CCC’s Pashor Sibanda.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa lauded his government’s achievements citing the end of country-wide electricity supply disruptions which often lasted as much as 18 hours daily.

“We have arrested power and water shortages after having got soft loan from the Republic of China to resuscitate the sectors,” he said.

For its part, the opposition CCC has continued with door-to-door campaigning as it awaits the Supreme Court determination of its appeal.

Party activists have been busy in local constituencies such as Emakhandeni-Luveve and Nkulumane.

Speaking to supporters during a roadshow over the weekend, Nkulumane Ward 22 candidate Bruce Mmeli Moyo said people should not give up on them.

“If ever there was a time to fight for us and with us, as well as for you, now is the time. When I say fight, I mean in the ballot box by voting for us,” said the CCC activist.

He added; “A lot of things are happening as you can see on social media and newspapers.

“There are a lot of chaotic events unfolding but that can’t deter us. We are alive and kicking and we are not going anyway.”