Zanu PF’s control over traditional leaders was evident, Saturday, when the party’s Second Secretary, Kembo Mohadi, ‘reminded’ chiefs to persuade their supporters to vote for the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
Mohadi used Chief Maduna’s installation ceremony over the weekend in Filabusi to openly campaign for the ruling party.
Chief Maduna’s installation ceremony was attended by several chiefs, headmen and traditional leaders from other places.
As he spoke, Mohadi told the newly installed chief that he needed to use the government because it was there to serve the people, and that the chiefs, in turn, needed to assist the government.
“You are stepping into a big role but since you were raised by your father, I hope you will be capable. Don’t hesitate to send us, everyone here, including the president -who even if he says comes from a chieftaincy, still falls under a chief. No one can say they have no chief. We all fall under your leadership, so serve us well,” he said.
Mohadi reminded the incoming chief and others who were present that they needed to work with the current government, which he even abbreviated as G.O.D.
“Since you gave us power to libertate the country, there is one thing we ask that you help us with. Please may you work with us. Work with the government and work with the ruling party because this celebration of traditional leadership is done by the ruling party. If it was not the ruling party, this would not have happened,” he said.
“We ask you to advise your many followers to work with the government of the day. I usually abbreviate it to G.O.D -Government Of the Day. The government of the day is Zanu PF and will always remain Zanu PF. We ask that you support us.”
People should vote for Zanu PF when they vote in this year’s national elections, according to the former vice president.
“There should be peace, go out and vote well. But my request is when voting, go and vote for the political party that liberated this country and that party is Zanu PF,” Mohadi said.
“Zanu PF is the one that is enabling all the development you are seeing, so please tell your followers that they must vote for Zanu PF. We want to win resoundingly.”
The former vice president also recalled a previous discussion he had with the newly installed Chief Maduna in Filabusi about the importance of headmen in persuading villages to support the ruling party.
“When I came here I asked who the headmen are, as they are the ones who lead people. They are the ones who will make people go and vote for Zanu PF. You traditional leaders are the ones who will make people go and vote for Zanu PF. I hope all the leaders here, you, Sibasa and Ndube (among others) will make your followers go and vote. We want to win resoundingly,” Mohadi emphasised and added that “because this country is not for chancers.”
“May I remind you that what we agreed on should stay as is until the day the president announces the election date. Do we agree Godlwayo?”
Meanwhile, Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) leader, Mqondisi Moyo, said traditional leaders should disregard Mohadi’s sentiments and follow what Zimbabwe’s constitution says.
“Zimbabwe’s constitution clearly states that chiefs are apolitical but we know that they are an arm of Zanu PF. Mohadi was reminding them of their role,”he said.
Moyo went on to say that Mohadi campaigning for Zanu PF and a traditional gathering was unsurprising given the new chief’s backing for the ruling party.
“We are aware that almost 95 percent of Mthwakazi and Zimbabwean chiefs are Zanu PF. Dambisamahubo, the newly installed chief, did not hide his love for Zanu PF even during the burial of his father,” said the MRP leader.
