CONTROVERSY has erupted over the delivery of materials for borehole solarisation, with opposition candidates accusing the ruling Zanu PF party of vote-buying and conditional development ahead of the Saturday parliamentary by-election in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane constituency.
Zanu PF recently promised to solarise boreholes in the constituency and has since delivered 50 jojo tanks and solar panels to the area.
However, the materials remain stored at Munyoro Business Centre, uninstalled.
Sources within the constituency alleged that the ruling party will withdraw the materials if it loses the polls.
“The jojo tanks and solar panels are still kept at Munyoro,” a Nkulumane resident said.
“There are fears that if they are beaten in the election, they will never install them.”
The seat left vacant after the death of CCC legislator Desire Moyo is being eyed by nine candidates.
The issue of the undelivered water infrastructure has become a central campaign theme, with several contenders condemning it as a vote-buying tactic.
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“That’s another way of buying voters by Zanu PF,” Thamsanqa Ncube, campaign leader for independent candidate Mbuso Fuzwayo, said suggesting the Zanu PF candidate, Freedom Murechu, was “trying to avoid the costs of uninstalling the jojo tanks after his defeat.”
Zapu candidate Vivian Viyo Siziba called the action “vote buying of first class order,” putting other candidates at a disadvantage.
“Zanu PF is dipping its hands in the national purse,” he said while advocating for long-term water solutions instead.
Zanu PF Bulawayo spokesperson Archibold Chiponda denied the allegations.
“I think of all the rumours I have heard this is by far the most ridiculous one,” Chiponda said.
He framed the delivery as part of a nationwide social amenities effort, citing similar projects in other constituencies.
Chiponda that argued it made no political sense to condition development on a win.
“It would not politically make sense to deliver something to the people and take it away because you would face these same people in another election in the future,” he said.
Zanu PF’s Murechu has been the most visible in the constituency because of the ruling party’s financial muscle with support coming from as far as its headquarters in Harare.
Other candidates include the late MP’s widow, Esther Auxillia Zitha, comedian Mothusi “Madlela” Ndlovu representing the Sengezo Tshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Ethel Sibanda (MDC T), and Alson Moyo (EFF Zimbabwe).
Nompilo Ncube Malala is contesting under the Zimbabwe African National Congress ticket.
There are two independent candidates Rodney Donovan Jele and Fuzwayo, the secretary-general of Ibhetshu LikaZulu.
At a rally a fortnight ago, Zanu PF’s national political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, and special advisor to the president, Paul Tungwarara, unveiled a US$100 000 constituency revolving fund, promised over five solar-powered boreholes, and announced a scholarship fund for Nkulumane.
The event also saw the handover of computers and Starlink internet kits to local schools by Information Communication Technology minister Tatenda Mavetera.
Zanu PF youth secretary Tino Machakaire told the rally that it was time for Nkulumane “to eat” just like what others in Harare were doing.
