Ruling party accused of vote-buying

Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has pumped millions of Zimbabwean dollars into the Marondera West constituency ahead of a critical by-election there, the ‘Financial Gazette’ reported on Thursday. The money was given by the Ministry of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation for income-generating projects targeted at youths in the constituency. The money has allegedly been distributed at campaign rallies for ZANU-PF candidate Ambrose Mutinhiri.

The recipients were given specific instructions to vote for Mutinhiri in the by-election this weekend, some villagers told the ‘Financial Gazette’. Retired army brigadier and former diplomat Mutinhiri faces opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) candidate Shadreck Chipangura in the by-election. The winner replace ZANU-PF Member of Parliament Rufaro Gwanzura who died in September in a car crash. ZANU-PF Youth Minister Border Gezi confirmed that his ministry had distributed money to youths in Marondera West but dismissed suggestions this was a scheme to buy votes for Mutinhiri.

In Marondera West, some villagers who said they supported MDC said they could not benefit because information on how to access the money was only available at Mutinhiri’s rallies.

Chipangura, who narrowly lost to Gwanzura in the June parliamentary election, accused Gezi of using public funds to buy votes for his rival. “This is abuse of public funds.
They are clearly trying to use tax payers’ money to influence voters in favour of one political party,” Chipangura said.