By A Correspondent

As the April 12 National Assembly by-election for Glen View South approaches, ZANU PF candidate Tsitsi Tawomhera has come under scrutiny amid reports of vote buying and voter intimidation tactics being employed by the party. Tawomhera, a 37-year-old national executive member of the ZANU PF Youth League, won the primary elections last Sunday to secure the party’s nomination for the by-election, following the death of local legislator Grandmore Hakata of the opposition CCC in January.

While ZANU PF has struggled to win the constituency in recent years, the party is now making aggressive moves to reclaim the seat, which has been largely controlled by the opposition for two decades.

Tawomhera, confident of her chances, declared that she would run a “vigorous campaign,” claiming that the opposition had failed to serve the people of Glen View South. She stated:

“For a long time, the opposition has been dominant in Glen View South, but they have failed to deliver. The Members of Parliament we have had over the years did not report back to the people; they remained silent while we faced numerous challenges like cholera outbreaks, poor roads, and a lack of development.”

However, reports from local voters and opposition figures suggest a more troubling side to the ZANU PF campaign. Allegations of vote buying have surfaced, with claims that party supporters are being offered money, food, and promises of development in exchange for votes. Additionally, there are reports of ZANU PF officials intimidating voters, pressuring them to support Tawomhera or face repercussions.

In one instance, a local resident, speaking anonymously, revealed:

“We are being pressured to attend ZANU PF rallies, and if you don’t show up, people start talking about your loyalty to the party. Some are even offering cash to people who say they will vote for them. It’s becoming very clear that the election isn’t just about ideas, it’s about who can pay the most and intimidate the hardest.”

The opposition has condemned these tactics, claiming that they undermine the democratic process. As the election date draws closer, the issue of vote buying and voter intimidation looms large over the by-election, raising questions about the integrity of the race and the fairness of the competition.