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Newly-elected zanu-pf legislators (from left) Honourable Terrence Mukupe, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Psychology Maziwisa, Vongaishe Mupereri and Omega Sipani Hungwe taking the oath during the swearing in ceremony at Parliament Building in Harare yesterday

Lloyd Gumbo and Diana Nherera
Newly-elected Zanu-PF National Assembly members took the oath of office yesterday and immediately pledged to deliver for their constituents to ensure the revolutionary party retains the seats in future elections.

National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda notified the House of the election of the 16 Zanu-PF representatives in the June 10, by-elections.

The polls were triggered by the recalling of MPs by Zanu-PF and MDC-T before their tenure of office had lapsed.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda swore in the MPs as their Zanu-PF colleagues ululated while MDC-T MPs bowed in shame.

The new MPs are Professor Jonathan (Moyo-Tsholotsho North), Cdes Isau Mupfumi(Dangamvura-Chikanga), Keith Guzah (Hurungwe West), Terence Mukupe (Harare East), Omega Hungwe(Dzivaresekwa), Betty Nhambu (Kuwadzana) and Tinashe Maduza (Kambuzuma).

Others are Cdes Psychology Maziwisa of Highfield West, Glen View South’s Pius Madzinga, Headlands’ Christopher Chingosho and Mbizo representative Vongaishe Mupereri.

Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube(Makokoba), Cdes Joseph Tshuma (Mpopoma), Maidei Mpala (Lobengula), Ntandoyenkosi (Mlilo-Luveve) and Pumula’s Cde Godfrey Malaba.

In separate interviews with The Herald after the swearing in ceremony, the legislators said their aim was to reclaim the seats from the opposition for good.

Prof Moyo, who is Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, said his election would go a long way in addressing the needs of the people in Tsholotsho North.

“The people of Tsholotsho spoke in very telling numbers, in fact unprecedented numbers and their voice has just been formalised by my taking of the oath along with 15 other colleagues from the other constituencies,” he said.

“Effectively, this is tantamount to getting our marching orders. We are now Members of Parliament representing our respective constituencies.

“The real work has started in the formal sense because certainly, in our case in Tsholotsho North there is a huge expectation that the voice that has been formalised will find expression through speaking, not silence as it did over some 20 months or so with the former and expelled then MP for Tsholotsho North (Roselene Nkomo).”

Cde Maziwisa said the MDC had failed to fulfil the aspirations of the urban constituents since its inception despite being voted for consecutively.

“But thank God, those constituencies have come to people who are capable of showing and demonstrating leadership.

“Zanu-PF is a tried and tested party that has a record of demonstrating good leadership.

“I have no doubt at all that in the coming weeks, coming months, and indeed in the coming few years, we will see real tangible evidence that we are working and moving in the right direction,” said Cde Maziwisa.

Cde Hungwe said she would come up with developmental projects in her constituency, including the establishment of a Vocational Training Centre as a way of empowering the youths.

“Roads in the Dzivaresekwa area of Marwede are not tarred and that needs to be addressed and developments are taking place in that regard.

“I promise to start a mushroom project for women in my constituency and to solve water and electricity problems,” said Cde Hungwe.

Cde Guzah said improving his constituents’ livelihoods was his priority.

“My interest is towards economic empowerment of our people and to make sure the indigenisation process actually benefits people as opposed to just being a rhetorical position.

“I am looking at a situation where Hurungwe West shall make a difference in terms of doing business and projects that are even done in cosmopolitan cities like Harare,” said Cde Guzah.

Cde Mukupe said the revolutionary party was known for its ability to deliver on people’s expectations compared to the opposition.

“We are a party that is known for delivery and we stand for people’s mandate. As long as we stay with the people we will retain the city. Tendai Biti (former MP) did not do anything for the constituency. He had a Constituency Development Fund but he did nothing tangible,” he said.

Cde Mupfumi added that road infrastructure and water rehabilitation would characterise his tenure.

“People have realised that the MDC had brought nothing to the people of Chikanga-Dangamvura instead of misery. Roads are in a sorry state. There are a lot of problems besetting the constituency. Now they have given us the mandate so we are going to bring water and sort the roads in Chikanga – Dangamvura. Dangamvura-Chikanga will from now on be connected to Government for development,” said Cde Mupfumi.

Cde Nhambu said she looked forward to continue with developmental projects in her constituency.

“I have drilled more than 10 boreholes in the constituency, which is one of the major problems that have been affecting the constituency. I will continue to bring developmental projects in the constituency to make sure it remains a Zanu-PF constituency,” she said.

Cde Maduza added that: “I will also make sure that the elderly, orphans and widows are given the necessary assistance.”

Cde Malaba said the people in his constituency now have a proper representative who would take their views to Parliament and have them addressed.

“I am going to try and cover the gap that currently exists and embark on other developmental projects that they have been missing for the past 15 years,” said Cde Malaba.

Cde Mlilo added: “I promise to be honest with the people of my constituency as this is a community programme.”