ZANU PF national commissar and Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday pledged to dole out 1 500 hectares of land for various youth programmes throughout the country, in a move perceived as a vote-buying gimmick ahead of the 2018 elections. BY OBEY MANAYITI
Kasukuwere made the pledge at a volatile Zanu PF youth rally in Mbare after thousands of youths cornered him demanding land for housing development and other activities. “In every constituency, we want to see a minimum of 1 500 youths who will get into this programme to get land. I will arrange with you Cde (Charles) Tawengwa, (Kudzi) Chipanga, (Edson) Takataka and (Patrick) Zhuwao. I will give you 1 500 hectares and divide it properly among yourselves,” he said.
“It cannot be a land for land barons alone, but we want the majority to benefit as well. Land from Chishawasha, Manyame up to Norton, I will be giving you. I am not giving you my land, but I have been instructed by President (Robert) Mugabe. You should come to the office and talk about servicing without the involvement of land barons.”
Kasukuwere said as the 2018 elections beckon, Zanu PF would strive to ensure all youths were provided with housing stands.
Earlier, Chipanga had ordered party youths to block Kasukuwere and Zhuwao from leaving the venue before guaranteeing them land.
The Local Government minister also said the recent court application by the MDC-T challenging the suspension of Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni would not cause him sleepless nights, and threatened to fire all opposition councillors.
“We should deal with Harare council once and for all. We want to see Zanu PF councillors only here in Harare. These ones (MDC-T) have caused chaos and are stealing stands and these stands we are giving you have nothing to do with them,” Kasukuwere said.
The rally, meant to drum up support for the one-million-men march, was attended by several MPs including Keith Guzah (Hurungwe West), Christopher Chitindi (Muzarabani South), Shadreck Mashayamombe (Harare South) and Sarah Mahoka (Hurungwe East), among others.
