Traditional leaders promise Zanu PF poll ‘clean sweep' - Mohadi

Traditional leaders promise Zanu PF poll ‘clean sweep’ – Mohadi

'The headman will marshal his subjects to the ballot box and watch them cast their votes'

Vote rigging ... Zanu PF VP Kembo Mohadi says chiefs and headmen will marshal villagers to polling booths

MHONDORO – Traditional leaders in Mashonaland West province have assured Zanu PF of a “clean sweep” in this year’s general elections, party vice president Kembo Mohadi said Thursday.

Mohadi was commissioning a new theatre, staff accommodation and laundry facility at Mhondoro hospital.

The facility was constructed and equipped by platinum mining giant, Zimplats as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Mohadi said Zanu PF would not lose sleep over the outcome of the election adding that victory has been guaranteed by partisan traditional leaders.

The former state VP said they had meetings with the traditional leadership which includes chiefs, headmen and village heads.

“We got an assurance that when we go for the elections come July or August, whichever date you are going to give us…the headman will marshal his subjects to the ballot box and watch them cast their votes.

“Then he will cast his vote last.

“Because we want to take stock and we want to know as to whether what we have imparted to one another is being adhered to.

“The headman will be observing and marshalling his subjects.

“So be rest assured that we are going to have a clean sweep in this part of the country in Mashonaland West,” Mohadi said.

Zanu PF has come under fire during Zimbabwe’s successive elections for allegedly using traditional leaders as gatekeepers for party fodder and fronts for partisan activities.

The Zanu PF led administration has reciprocated by lavishing cars and installing electricity and boreholes at traditional chiefs’ homes through treasury.

Chiefs have also been receiving Covid-19 allowances backdated to May 2022 and some medical aid.

Responding to Mohadi Friday, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere likened the Zanu PF VP’s comments to a vote rigging confession.

“Here, Mohadi admits vote rigging, command voting & abuse of traditional leaders,” Mahere said on Twitter.

“This confirms Zanu PF has lost popular support. What’s worse is he says this as citizens are commemorating Independence – the war was waged for one man/woman-one vote. Fake revolutionaries!”