MDC Bulawayo East candidate David Coltart has said the large turnouts at President Robert Mugabe’s rallies in Matabeleland and Bulawayo were not an indication that Zanu PF would gain votes from those regions.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
In a statement on Sunday, Coltart said the only way Mugabe and Zanu PF could win in Matabeleland was through rigging.
“This morning (Sunday) I read some commentaries suggesting that the size of Mugabe’s rally yesterday in Bulawayo is indicative of revitalisation of support for him in Bulawayo,” he said.
“Had those journalists made their commentary based on the rallies Mugabe has had in, say Marondera or Chinhoyi, then they might have had a point, but to base it on the turnout in Bulawayo actually illustrates better than anything else the fraud which is before us.”
Coltart pointed out that Mugabe and Zanu PF failed to win in Matabeleland in 1985 even in the middle of the massive threat towards the electorate posed by Gukurahundi.
“Post the unity accord in 1990 and 1995 they won, but only because of the Zapu support, which has since gone,” he said.
“Since 2000 they have not come close save for a few rural seats in Matabeleland.” Coltart claimed the only reason why Zanu PF received huge attendance of people in their rallies was through tactics of intimidation, false promises to the impoverished, pouring of massive resources into their rallies, employing musicians and even bussing and trucking people in from afar to attend them.
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“So it has been through this carrot and stick cocktail that people have been attending these rallies,” the Education minister explained.
“Then in addition, I think there is an element of voyeurism – a bit similar to how crowds gather to watch the aftermath of a traffic accident, Mugabe is an intriguing character to many people, as devastating as his policies have been to Zimbabwe and especially Bulawayo and Matabeleland, many people are intrigued how this 89-year-old continues and will go to listen to him.”
Coltart said he remained concerned about Zanu PF plans to rig because that was the only way the party could win this election.
“They certainly will not win based on the genuine support of people on the ground,” he said.
“I can tell with absolute confidence that in my constituency, at least Mugabe and Zanu PF have minimal support, and the attendance at the rally yesterday bears no relation to the support Mugabe and Zanu PF have on the ground in Bulawayo.”
