The ruling Zanu-PF party has promised to release US$100 000 to support elderly women in Nkulumane Constituency if its candidate wins the parliamentary by-election scheduled for 20 December.
The pledge was announced at the party’s final campaign rally, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s adviser, Dr Paul Tungwarara, told supporters that part of the money had already been set aside, with the remainder dependent on the election outcome.
Dr Tungwarara said the President had provided US$20,000 to assist elderly women in the constituency to start income-generating projects.
“This money is meant to help them undertake projects that will enable them to sustain themselves and their families,” he said.
He added that a further US$80,000 would be released if Zanu-PF candidate Freedom Murechu wins the by-election.
“The President promised that if Freedom wins this election on Saturday, US$80,000 more will be made available to ensure that elderly women are well taken care of,” Dr Tungwarara told the rally.
The presidential adviser also announced plans to support vulnerable children through the payment of school fees, saying education was a priority for the governing party.
He said funds would be mobilised either directly by the party or through local structures to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds attend school.
“This particular fund does not depend on whether Freedom wins or not. It is meant to show that every child deserves an education regardless of their circumstances,” Dr Tungwarara said.
He also claimed that Murechu enjoys backing from wealthy party financiers, commonly referred to as “mbingas”, who he said were capable of funding development projects in Nkulumane.
Dr Tungwarara told supporters that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwireyi had contributed US$100,000 towards the rally, adding that President Mnangagwa and other senior Zanu-PF figures had also provided resources for the campaign.
In a further pledge aimed at young people, he said youths from Nkulumane who had received assistance from Murechu to obtain driver’s licences would be offered employment.
According to Dr Tungwarara, the youths are set to be employed as drivers by Tap and Go, a transport company recently established in Bulawayo.
The Nkulumane by-election has drawn intense campaigning, with parties competing for support in one of Bulawayo’s high-density suburbs. Opposition parties were not immediately available for comment on Zanu-PF’s pledges.
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