Politics

Hwange’s voter registration blitz extended as the youths drag

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2023

BY BRENDA NCUBE

Hwange Central Constituency, through the office of the Member of Parliament (MP) says it is continuing with the voter’s registration awareness campaign which it launched towards the end of last year, amid realisation that the district’s youth turnout remains low.

The campaign is targeting all unregistered eligible voters who are residents of Hwange Central constituency.

The constituency seeks to boost the number of registered voters up to atleast 25 000 by the time the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) closes registration in preparation for 2023 elections.

It currently has 22 000 voters.

In an interview with VicFallsLive, Daniel Molokele, who is the constituency MP said the number of people coming through for registration has been low, especially the youths, thus they have patterned with the counsillors to encourage the residents by giving them free transport and some refreshments.

“The May 2022 Zec report said that we have about 22 636 eligible voters registered, which is the minimum threshold,” Molokele said.

“This is why we need to continue to register more people so that by the time Zec closes registration we should be around 25000.

“We need to play our part (and) I am reaching out to Hwange citizens and councilors to play their part to increase the number because there are still a lot of people who are not registered and can still be registered, especially the youths.”

The process, according to Molokele is firstly done by the ward councilors who compile a list of people who need assistance to go for registration and send it to his office for logistics.

“We support with transport logistics and sometimes even buy some drinks and water for refreshments from our own pockets and friends in the diaspora,” he said.

“With Zec’s proposed delimitation exercise for constituencies that did not reach the maximum threshold, the idea is to mop up as many unregistered voters as possible to meet the maximum threshold, especially the youths and school leavers who stand to benefit more as they are the future.” he added Molekele.

This comes after Zec had proposed a delimitation exercise which has been presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Matebeleland North Province’s affected constituencies are in Tsholotsho and Hwange districts.

The parliamentarians in these two districts have argued that the proposed delimitation is unwarranted and illegal.

The matter is yet to be discussed at the National Assembly.

For instance, Hwange West constituency, ward two was delimited at 2267 above the maximum threshold of 2211.

They argue that Zec used a wrong maximum threshold of 2211 instead of 2188, but the wards were still above maximum threshold of both values.

Also, ward 17 which falls under Hwange Rural District Council in the Hwange East Constituency was proposed to be delimited at 2213 above the maximum threshold of 2188 which is the same case with ward 11.

Tsholotsho North Constituency’s ward eight was delimited at 2096 above maximum threshold of 2086, as well as Hwange West Constituency’ ward four.

Molokele said the process of registration is going to continue until Zec closes the registration.

Hwange

Former Victoria Falls opposition mayor defects to Zanu-Pf, pledges to bring more supporters

Published

3 months ago

August 27, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY BAYANDA NKATHA

Former Victoria Falls mayor Somvelo Dlamini has joined Zanu-PF alongside over 500 other opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members in Binga and Hwange.

Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha welcomed the returnees, including:

– Former legislator Patrick Nene Sibanda
– Former Binga Rural District chairman Munkombwe Dube
– Incumbent Mbizha Ward councillor Namo Chuma, who won the 2023 elections on an independent ticket
– Former councillors [names not specified]

Dlamini, who was sentenced to 36 months in prison last year for fraud, vowed to bring more people to join the party. “I am not coming here for positions but to build our country and defend the gains of the liberation struggle. My coming here is not a threat to anyone,” he said.

Zanu-PF’s Kumusha/Home/Ekhaya programme, led by Blessing Chebundo, aims to welcome returning members from the opposition. The new members were welcomed in Milonga on Saturday and Sonkaba on Sunday.

Dlamini contested for the Hwange West parliamentary seat as an independent candidate last year but was defeated by Vusumuzi Moyo of CCC.

This was after his defection as one of the strong supporters of Douglas Mwonzora’s faction after a fallout with Nelson Chamisa.

National

ZRP riot detains 19 MRP members in Bulawayo

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has reported that a group of 19 members and community volunteers were arrested by the police riot team while participating in a peaceful clean-up activity in Mzilikazi this morning.

According to the MRP Information Department, the arrest was “unjust and unwarranted” and they demand the immediate release of their members and volunteers.

“Nineteen (19) MRP members and community volunteers who were participating in a peaceful clean-up activity from Noczim Matshobane to eMatshipsini in Mzilikazi have been arrested by the ZRP Riot team,” MRP said.

“The group was taken away a short while ago and are currently being held at ZRP Entumbane.”

“We condemn this action by the ZRP and urge all MRP members and community leaders to remain calm and peaceful,” said the department. “We will be engaging with relevant authorities to demand justice.”

The MRP Information Department has promised to provide regular updates on the situation as more information becomes available.

“We will provide further instructions and guidance as necessary,” they said. “Please stay tuned for further updates.”

The arrest has sparked outrage and concern among the community, with many calling for the release of the MRP members and volunteers.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association has announced on X that, “Unidentified men have just scalled the walls of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition offices (Harare). They disembarked from a white Toyota Hilux GD6.”

For the past two months, Zimbabwe has seen several activists and opposition party members being arrested, amid concerns over the violations of human rights.

NB: This is a developing, and more information from the police will be provided as it becomes available.

National

Legislators push for indigenous language promotion in schools

Published

4 months ago

July 24, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

It was a lively debate in the Parliament of Zimbabwe as MPs discussed the motion tabled by Discent Bajila on promoting indigenous languages in schools.

“I stood up to support the motion…the issue of our indigenous languages is very important,” said Spencer Tshuma.

“We were colonised by the whites and that is why we love the English language…we were lost as a nation and it should be rectified in the shortest possible time so that we can develop as a country.”

Another MP added, “We used to pray in our local languages. We would use our local languages to talk to our ancestors who would then take our prayers to God…why is it that such things are changing on a daily basis?”

They emphasized the need for children to learn in their local languages, saying “it will be easy for them to learn and it will also be easy for the teacher to teach them.”

Sithabisiwe Moyo for Bubi/Umguza expressed her happiness about the motion.

“I am really happy about this motion which pertains to the discussion of having children being taught in their native languages so that they grow up articulating and appreciating their mother language.”

Elizabeth Masuku, also from Bubi/Umguza supported the motion, stating “this motion is not merely a nod to cultural preservation, it is a profound step towards fostering inclusivity, enhancing comprehension and fortifying our national identity.”

Others also noted that trying to speak in a foreign language may lead to a breakdown of communication.

Finally, Taurai Dexter Malinganiso emphasized the need for action.

“We therefore require a deliberate action, deliberate policy with which to preserve our languages, promote the same in a manner that salvages our identity from this marauding quest by the erstwhile colonisers to actually down our heritage.”

Biatah Nyamupinga, who had spoken earlier, was also in agreement with the motion, highlighting the importance of understanding local languages in healthcare, particularly in discussing diseases like cervical cancer.

Recommendations from the debate included:

– Including indigenous languages in the school curriculum from an early age

– Providing funding and resources for the development of teaching materials in local languages

– Encouraging the use of local languages in schools, especially for subjects like Biology, Science, and Maths

– Supporting cultural programs that promote local languages and heritage

– Developing technology to facilitate communication in local languages.