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Tafadzwa Ndlovu and Andrew Chimedza
Zanu-PF candidates for the June 10 by-elections are intensifying their campaigns in the six constituencies in Harare to return to the ruling party the seats that were snatched by MDC-T in previous elections.MDC-T is boycotting the elections on flimsy reasons that it wants electoral reforms, when it is clear that the opposition party is afraid of losing after it started disintegrating soon after its heavy loss to Zanu-PF in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.

The split in MDC-T resulted in the opposition party recalling 21 MPs who had crossed the floor to the splinter MDC Renewal and of these seats, 14 would be up for grabs in the June 10 by-elections.

MDC-T has come under heavy criticism for boycotting the by-elections while itching to replace seven of the dismissed legislators, who came through the proportional representation system based on the July 31 polls.

By agreeing to fill the proportional representation seats, the MDC-T would be deemed to have participated in the by-elections, but is targeting the seats it knows there is no contest for fear of losing.

In Harare, the by-elections will be held in Highfield, Dzivaresekwa, Harare East, Kambuzuma, Kuwadzana and Glen View South.

Speaking at rally in Kambuzuma over the weekend, Zanu-PF candidate for the constituency, Cde Tinashe Maduza, said the ruling party was poised to re-claim the seats in Harare.

He said if he won in Kambuzama, he would ensure that housing stands for cooperatives were regularised by provision of lease agreements.

Cde Maduza also said he would ensure that youths were empowered through various projects.

“Recently I was in conversation with Minister (Ignatius) Chombo so that we can get lease agreements and he said he would come and address you as we have other housing cooperatives that do not have them and are having difficulties,” he said.

Some areas in Kambuzuma had gone for long without access to clean water and Cde Maduza drilled boreholes for the residents.

“We will not have youths that are doing drugs, I will assist them to participate in income generating projects like brick and durawall making,” he said.

“We were given land and we need to start farming as the youths because that way we are able to boost our economy through such activities.”

Cde Maduza contested in the Kambuzuma primary elections and won with 891 votes against Cde Oliver Chidau, Cde Samuel Mvurume and Cde Samuel Chinyowa.

In Kuwadzana, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Betty Kaseke urged churches to pray for peace in the country.

Addressing hundreds of party supporters and members of the St John Apostolic Church over the weekend, Cde Kaseke said it was good for the party to involve churches in developmental programmes.

“Churches are being left out in many programmes that are supposed to benefit them and they are facing challenges in acquiring land to build their places of worship,” said Cde Kaseke.

“We want to follow the steps of the President who always tells us to approach churches and work with them in different developmental programmes.” Cde Kaseke said she had drilled boreholes in the constituency and was maintaining streets and tower lights, among other projects.