BY SHARON BUWERIMWE OPPOSITION parties and civic groups have raised concern over the alleged abuse of State resources by Zanu PF officials during election campaign.
On Saturday, several Zupco buses were allegedly commandeered to transport Zanu PF supporters to a rally addressed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Epworth, leaving thousands of Harare commuters stranded.
But Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said the party paid for the buses.
“It is an outrageous accusation; it is not based on investigations. It is scandalous. We paid for the Zupco buses, we did not use them for free,” he said.
Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust executive director Ignatious Sadziwa said the abuse of Zupco buses was deplorable.
“We note with great pain that not only were the supporters bussed to the rally, but some were also coerced to attend the rally against their will. It is a public secret that the Zupco buses are State and not party property,” Sadziwa said.
“Zanu PF as the ruling party must stop abusing State resources. It must have an iota of shame and draw a line between State and party property,” he added.
Elections Resource Centre (ERC) legal and advocacy officer Takunda Tsunga said the abuse of State resources was unconstitutional.
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“The ERC reiterates that abuse of State resources is an issue that has been raised by numerous stakeholders to ensure that the practice of abusing State resources does not permeate within the electoral environment. The ERC calls on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to take steps and call out political parties that violate the Electoral Act by abusing State resources,” Tsunga said.
Citizens Coalition for Change vice-president Tendai Biti said: “It is a criminal government. It is a mafia State and a criminal political party. That is what they do, they abuse State resources. It is not a new thing, that is why we are saying they must go. Zimbabwe deserves a change.”
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