MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO RURAL-IF ONE was a mere visitor, the atmosphere at Gwengavi Primary School in Masvingo Rural resembled that of happy, united party, if slogans and dancing witnessed at the venue are anything to by.
Zanu PF supporters braved the rains and came out in their numbers to celebrate with their MP, Ezra Chadzamira for winning the Masvingo West Constituency in the 2023 harmonised elections for the third time on the bounce.
War veterans were seated in their own tent numbering about 250 while the rest of the supporters were either in the open or in other tents at the venue.
As the liberation fighters were leaving for the ablution facilities in turns, as nature would not allow their bladders to hold for long due to age, the mumblings were clear as one got closer.
The situation was exacerbated by the long wait as the former fighters were at the venue by 7am only for the official program to begin at around 3pm.
“Kuswera vakatigarisa pano only to come and give us $120 instead of the promised $200, where is the $80, kutijairira ikoku.
“They give us bicycles, what do I need a bicycle for at my age, are they on mission to fast track our deaths, ndikamwa doro ndowira mugwiringwindi nechibhasikoro ichochi ndobva ndafa hangu,” said a senior war veteran in the province who declined to be named for fear of being expelled from the ruling party as he left the tent to go to the toilet.
Most of them could be heard mumbling about the money and the bicycles, complaining that it was not enough and they didn’t need the gifts, they wanted.
“Kutobva pano ndakananga kundari kobva kapera ka$120 kacho, ndingakaitisei, kutononwa hangu,” said another war veteran who stopped to talk to journalists near the tent.
Following Runesu Bombshell Geza’s call for President Mnangagwa to step down for failing to rein in on corruption, presidential advisor Paul Tungwarara has been going round the country giving war veterans, mealie meal, food hampers, money, houses, boreholes and bicycles.
This has further divided the ruling party as some are in support of the gifts while others feel that they are being used by the ruling elite.
Tungwarara is rolling out a revolving $1.5million fund for the country’s freedom fighters to start their own businesses.
The presidential advisor has also promised to roll out a similar program for the youths and women’s leagues respectively so that they start their own business ventures as per the President’s mantra of leaving no one behind.
