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Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
Zanu-PF member Cde Mavis Gumbo last week attended her former rival Cde Terence Mukupe’s rally in Mukandabhutsu in Harare East constituency to drum up support ahead of the June 10 by-elections. Cde Gumbo was recently ordered by the to withdraw her candidature.

Speaking at the rally, Zanu-PF Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said Cde Gumbo had heeded the call by the ruling party to withdraw her candidature and allow Cde Mukupe to stand as the official party candidate.

“(Cde) Gumbo listened to the call by the party. They are here together and we love them both,” said Cde Kasukuwere as the crowd cheered.

Cde Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF would ensure that people in Harare East were not be evicted from their pieces of land. He said the party would deal with all corrupt individuals who control co-operatives in the area and were evicting people unprocedurally.

There were allegations that Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office Cde Sylvester Nguni had issued eviction orders to people in Harare East.

“We are going to deal with criminals amongst us. We do not care who you are and whom you think you know, we will deal with you. I know uchatituka but we will get you. This can be equated to a robber clothed in Zanu-PF clothes,” said Cde Kasukuwere.

Cde Kasukuwere blamed MDC Renewal Team secretary-general Tendai Biti for the closure of industries in Harare during his tenure as Finance Minister under the inclusive Government.

“Biti is another thief looking for people to blame in Zanu-PF. Industries have closed down and youths are unemployed.

“We want a Zanu-PF that moves straightforward people,” he said.

Cde Kasukuwere urged Cde Mukupe to address the people’s concerns once he wins in the by-elections.

Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators Political Detainees and Restrictees Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa told the same rally that President Mugabe was now injecting young blood into the party after the elimination of “Gamatox” members who were linked to former Vice President Joice Mujuru.

“We have eliminated mhandu dze Gamatox who had infiltrated the party,” he said.

“Kunonzi kugona politics kwaPresident Mugabe whether from outside naTsvangirai or with Teurai Mujuru, President vanogona,” said Cde Mutsvangwa.

Harare provincial chairman, Cde Godwills Masimirembwa expressed optimism that Zanu-PF would win the June 10 by-elections.

“We want to win this province. Tatononokerwa naJune 10 nekuti tichahwina zvine mutsindo, hapana chekumbotya apa,” said Cde Masimirembwa.

He said people had paid the price of voting for MDC councillors resulting in them failing to get water. He said the city’s roads were full of potholes because MDC-T councillors were incompetent.