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Walter Nyamukondiwa recently in MHANGURA
MDC-T should not talk of rigging when they are defeated in the forthcoming harmonised elections as they have allowed intra-party violence to fester to the dismay of potential voters, a zanu-pf Politburo member has said.

Speaking at Muni Farm during a tour of irrigation schemes in the Makonde District of Mashonaland West Province last week, zanu-pf Politburo member Cde Perrance Shiri said violence of whatever form disgusts the electorate.

President Mnangagwa, he said, was following through on his call for free, fair and peaceful elections, which should be heeded by everyone, including zanu-pf supporters.

“We do not want people to behave like those from the MDC-T who wanted to burn down huts to destroy each other,” he said. “This is despite the fact that they are already in the minority.”

Cde Shiri, who is also the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, said zanu-pf was in the majority and did not eliminate members.

“We want numbers and we invite those who were nearly destroyed by fire to come to zanu-pf so that we teach them our party ideology,” he said.

Violent skirmishes have plagued the MDC-T following the death of the party’s founding president, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, on Valentine’s Day, which has seen senior leaders wrestling for the control of the party.

MDC-T vice president Dr Thokozani Khupe is engaged in a vicious struggle for control of the opposition party with Mr Nelson Chamisa, who has since been confirmed as the substantive leader and presidential candidate for the forthcoming elections by the MDC-T national executive and national council.

Matters came to a head during the burial of Mr Tsvangirai in Buhera last month when rowdy party youths threatened to burn Dr Khupe and other party officials in a hut they had taken refuge in.

“President Mnangagwa is saying he does not want to hear any incidents of violence,” said Cde Shiri. “We should entice more people to join the party.

“When you are attacked, move away. You would rather go and be productive because you have been given land by zanu-pf. We do not want a tainted election in which violence is used.”

Cde Shiri added: “We should not jeopardise our relations because as we live together, some are our relatives, others aunts, uncles and nephews.”

Cde Shiri said Government was not just preaching peace with the international community, but was advocating for peace at household level as well.

“This extends to the whole country,” he said. “That is the peace that the President is talking about.”

Mhangura legislator Cde Douglas Mombeshora said Mhangura was ready to vote overwhelmingly for President Mnangagwa.