Taurai Masamba
The people of Makoni Central, Makoni South and Mutasa Central Constituencies in Manicaland Province have expressed disappointment with MDC-T Makoni Central legislator, David Tekeshe over his lack of commitment to the development of his constituency and the repair of a road that cuts through the three constituencies.
The constituents’ sentiments came out during a discussion over the weekend on the state of the road from Nyabadza Shopping Centre to Watsomba via Gandanzara and Sherukuru areas on a Whatsapp group created to exchange ideas on what needs to be done about the road. The road is in bad shape.
The constituents were particularly angered when Tekeshe pulled out of the group after posting two audios where he blamed the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for neglecting the road. Contrary to Tekeshe’s claims, the road falls under the District Development Fund (DDF). Tekeshe accused ZANU PF Mutasa Rural District Council Ward 15 Councillor, Mazwawatii Edgar Dodzo of influencing Transport Ministry officials not to respond to his requests for the repair of the road so that he would be rejected by the electorate.
Tekeshe also claimed that ZANU PF Secretary for Finance, Patrick Chinamasa who lost to him in 2018, had told the Ministry of Transport that the long standing Nyamangura Bridge in Rugoyi area would only be constructed when he (Chinamasa) wins the election in the constituency. Chinamasa and Dodzo denied Tekeshe’s accusations against them.
Instead of responding to the constituents’ developmental concerns, the opposition legislator accused them of being always in the election mood.
One resident of the Gwidza area of Makoni Central, who only identified himself as The Royal Kraal, was disappointed by Tekeshe’s lack of political maturity.
“Ini semunhu wekwaRugoyi/Gwidza I am very disappointed to have such a coward for a representative. Tirikutoti we have a leader, taunganidza vanhu pano to discuss way forward and he spits his dummy out kunge kandumure. No mhanhi. At this level we expect maturity and professionalism, we need to grow up,” he fumed.
Some members of the group attributed Tekeshe’s lack of commitment to the constituency to the fact that he does not hail from the area. He comes from Chiendambuya area in Makoni North Constituency where he was legislator from 2013 to 2018 and runs a shop at Chiendambuya Business Centre.
“Its true road yashata zvayo kana vanhu vakutora 2 to 4 hrs kusvika kwaRusape. Ivo varikutipawo MP ngavatipewo vanhu vemunharaunda medu not vanhu vekure,” complained Rue Murapa.
Others were miffed by the fact that Tekeshe attempted to use the platform to pursue opposition politics instead of development issues.
“Yeah that's the main problem. A leader must come from our area not from other places free. Zvakafanana nekupiwa baba. He won't care because mhuri haisi yake. The way he is talking (shows) he doesn't care at all. We keep on saying this group is not for politics but he keeps on bringing back politics and (the) blame game. Here we have one vision, maroads edu ngagadzirwewe tikwanise kufambawo zvakanaka. Simple,” said Innocent Dodzo.
Another member within the whatsapp group who only identified himself as The Man from the Hills, partly blamed the electorate who just voted along party lines without assessing candidate’s attributes and track records.
“The MPs are imposed from the top. The electorate just vote for these people along party lines. But still it doesn't make it right to bring leaders who have no interest in a particular area. If Tekeshe was a local chap he would heed to our cries because he will be identifying himself with us. His arrogance just shows that we are alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MDC/CCC is in the habit of apportioning the blame for their lack of service delivery on the Government. Councillors in the urban Cities have failed to provide clean water, attend to sewer and garbage collection. Harare City Councils is one good example that is now blaming Government for taking it upon itself to ensure the sunshine city retains its status by collecting all the rubbish and turning it into energy to be and added on the national grid.
