Zimpapers Logo

Cde Mpofu who is also the Minister of Mines and Mining Development also donated a heifer each to four village heads in Ward Three and also pledged to pay fees for the needy in the area.

Addressing hundreds of supporters at Fingo in Mbembesi, Dr Mpofu said he was encouraged by the fact that people in his constituency continued to support Zanu-PF.

“I thought I was coming to address a few families here. I am moved by the number of people who support Zanu-PF in this area. My words to you are that you should remain united as a ward and vote for leaders and the party that has always been there for your concerns,” said Dr Mpofu.

“I visited here to listen to your challenges and developmental issues. I have heard your concerns and starting on Monday trucks would bring building material for the construction of a chiefs’ hall. Leaders here should identify a site where the hall would be constructed.”

Villagers expressed concern over water problems and unavailability of proper sanitation facilities at schools. They also said they wanted dams to be rehabilitated and many of them said they wanted money to start income generating projects.

Youths said they wanted to be assisted to venture into small-scale mining.

Minister Mpofu made an undertaking to pay fees for children attending Maqaqeni, Cameron and Emqwashini primary schools. He said school heads should not send pupils home for non-payment of fees.

Chief Ndondo praised Dr Mpofu for empowering the community.

“He is a real leader who has the people’s interests at heart. I saw him growing up and rising to be a businessman. He was a hard worker and we all should emulate him. Today he has given us heifers and grain,” said Chief Ndondo.

Zanu-PF Ward 3 chairman Cde Veti Tshuma said people were blessed to have leaders that were committed to development like Cde Mpofu.

“We are happy to have Dr Mpofu as our leader. He has given us grain, heifers, and pledged to build a hall which would benefit the whole community,” he said.

In Insuza, Umguza district chairman Cde Richard Moyo handed over more than 300 bags of maize to villagers on behalf of Dr Mpofu.

“We happy to be here, addressing the drought situation, which is affecting villagers. Our MP has visited all the 19 wards in his constituency and has been distributing grain,” he said.

He said plans were under way to drill three boreholes for the worst dry areas in the ward.

“The poor rains received this past season have caused a lot of suffering to all of us. Dr Mpofu has pledged to drill three boreholes so that we get water. He also pledged to make arrangements to electrify Sigonde Primary School,” said Cde Moyo.

Meanwhile, about 60 people reportedly joined Zanu-PF in Umguza district crossing over from the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

Mr Collen Tshuma, one of the villagers who recently defected to Zanu-PF said he had realised that the MDC was full of empty promises.

“I joined the party many years ago and I have seen that everything they promised has not been done,” said Mr Tshuma.

Speaking at the same event, Cde Sibongile Mnkandla, the treasurer for Matabeleland North Zanu-PF Women’s League expressed gratitude to Dr Mpofu.

“Women have since started a number of projects because of Dr Mpofu who has proven that Zanu-PF is a focused party. Some are now into farming and sewing,” said Cde Mnkandla.

She urged women to participate in Government empowerment programmes.