ZANU PF aspiring candidate for Mabvuku-Tafara parliamentary seat, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, has exhorted his rival in next month’s by-election, Felix Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi, to help maintain peace among people living in the constituency.
Sakupwanya, who lost to Kufahakutizwi in the August 23 parliamentary polls, but graciously conceded defeat, said the same peace that had prevailed in Mabvuku-Tafara at the time, should be maintained as the two square-up again in the December 9 by-election.
This comes after Kufahakutizwi and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), have accused the ruling Zanu PF for the disappearance of Pastor Tapfumanei Masaya, who was found dead early this week. Masaya was said to have been campaign manager for Kufahakutizwi.
“It is sad and regrettable that some Zimbabweans have elected to characterise the December 9 parliamentary and municipal by-elections as being held in a violent environment.
This is not true. “I will make specific reference to the Mabvuku-Tafara by-elections where I am contesting on a Zanu PF ticket — competing against … Kufahakutizwi — who had initially defeated me in August, but was recalled by his party to create this vacancy we are both trying to fill.
“This week, Kufahakutizwi and his supporters addressed the media following the death of … Masaya, whom he said was his campaign manager and made wild, but very damaging claims to the effect that the by-election preparations are being done in a violent climate,” Sakupwanya said.
“Kufahakutizwi has even threatened to step down from the by-election, citing the death of Masaya. “It is entirely up to … Kufahakutizwi whether he contests the by-election or not. However, it is regrettable that he would like to poison the campaigning environment in the constituency by making premature claims and blame Zanu PF for … Masaya’s death.
“The police have pronounced themselves on the matter and said they would share with the public their investigations and the cause of Pastor Masaya’s death,” Sakupwanya said further. Sakupwanya added that his campaign team and Zanu PF were saddened by Masaya’s death.
“Myself and the Zanu PF campaign team, would like to extend our condolences to the Masaya family over his untimely death. We pray that they be comforted during this period,” he also said. Sakupwanya said he had contested and lost to Kufahakutizwi in the August 23 polls, where peace prevailed, and was expecting the same spirit during the current campaigns for the by-election.
“We did this in August — promoting peace and encouraging our people to make their ballot choices freely. This is the same spirit I am exhorting my colleague and political rival to display towards the by-election.
“I would like to reiterate that myself and … Kufahakutizwi have a duty to conduct ourselves in a manner that entrenches peace in the Mabvuku-Tafara constituency in the run-up to, during and after the December 9 by-election.
“If you are elected an MP, you are not an MP for a particular party, but for everyone in that constituency,” Sakupwanya said further. Police are investigating the death of Masaya and have warned people against making premature conclusions before they have wound up their probe and established the cause of his death.
“In the August polls, Sakupwanya narrowly lost to Kufahakutizwi after polling 12 038 against 15 934 votes garnered by the CCC member.”