Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO – In a stark display of campaign-season patronage, the ruling ZANU PF party rolled out an extensive package of resources at a Nkulumane rally on Sunday, openly framing the upcoming by-election around access to state-linked wealth and “a culture of eating.”
The rally at Amavene Primary School, marking the official launch of candidate Freedom Murechu’s campaign, saw senior officials promise residents 30 tonnes of food aid, thousands of seed packs, 18 boreholes, repaired transformers, computers, WiFi kits, and a US$100,000 revolving fund.
The event was dominated by the anticipated arrival of Special Presidential Investment Advisor, Dr. Paul Tungwarara, who landed by helicopter. Tungwarara, known for distributing cash and grants nationwide, embodies what analysts call ZANU PF’s “political mbinga” – a wealthy benefactor whose presence signals the flow of resources.
Youth Minister Tino Machakaire laid bare the political logic behind the campaign.
“We will take him to Parliament and tell Mnangagwa that Freedom is following us on 20 December,” he said, directly linking the vote to patronage.
Machakaire’s remarks were a frank acknowledgment of the party’s internal resource distribution system.
“We no longer want people in Harare to eat alone; we want everyone to eat,” he told the crowd, referring to Tungwarara metaphorically as an injiva (a returning diasporan with wealth).
In a notable critique of his own party’s tendencies, Machakaire added,
“We no longer want leaders to eat every day… while people suffer. Down with thieves! Today we are going to eat money here in Bulawayo — make noise for money!”
National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha detailed the pledges, stating that residents’ concerns had been forwarded to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had “directed ministers to respond.”
ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera pledged 10 computers and 10 Starlink WiFi kits for local schools, promising to return with digital skills training.
Candidate Freedom Murechu, portraying himself as a humble community son, crouched before residents as he asked for their vote.
“I am your child… please make me your representative so I can take your concerns to the President,” he said.
Political analyst Mxolisi Ncube said the rally showed ZANU PF considers Nkulumane a high-stakes contest.
“This show of resource power indicates that ZANU PF has made Nkulumane a priority seat,” Ncube said.
“The subtext reflects a campaign anchored on patronage, consumption and promises of access to state-linked wealth.”
The event stood in contrast to a recent public appeal on social media by user Ndaba M Nhuku, who urged President Mnangagwa’s advisors to have the President engage in unexpected walkabouts to listen to citizens’ daily struggles. Nhuku argued that “giving out cars to anyone for any reason is very unpresidential” and that effective campaigning was about “unexpectedly engaging and mingling with the average person.”
Whether Nkulumane voters view Sunday’s promises as genuine development or transactional politics will be tested at the ballot box.
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