Workers for the ruling party were spotted rushing to install Jojo water tanks and solar panels at borehole sites in the constituency right before the vote. This happened near spots like the Bulet Shopping centre, Nketa 6, and an area close to the Oneness Pentecostal church, with party billboards going up nearby. The party's Bulawayo spokesperson, Archibold Chiponda, called earlier claims fake. Those claims, from opposition figures, said the party would just take all the equipment back if their candidate, Freedom Murechu, lost.
Opposition candidates like Vivian Viyo Siziba from Zapu and others had labeled the whole thing straight-up vote-buying. They argued the sudden activity was only happening because of the election, pointing out the ruling party's financial advantage. Murechu got high-profile backing at a recent rally where officials promised a huge constituency fund, scholarships, and even handed out computers and internet kits. A party youth leader literally told the crowd it was time for Nkulumane to get its share, as people in Harare do.
Chiponda defended the move, saying it proved their commitment was real and not a temporary trick. He stated water access is a basic right and accused the local city council of failing on services. He framed it as their candidate simply helping the community he came from. The materials had been sitting at the Munyoro Business Centre before the quick installation started, which opponents saw as a tactical move to avoid the cost and embarrassment of removing everything after a potential loss.
Opposition candidates like Vivian Viyo Siziba from Zapu and others had labeled the whole thing straight-up vote-buying. They argued the sudden activity was only happening because of the election, pointing out the ruling party's financial advantage. Murechu got high-profile backing at a recent rally where officials promised a huge constituency fund, scholarships, and even handed out computers and internet kits. A party youth leader literally told the crowd it was time for Nkulumane to get its share, as people in Harare do.
Chiponda defended the move, saying it proved their commitment was real and not a temporary trick. He stated water access is a basic right and accused the local city council of failing on services. He framed it as their candidate simply helping the community he came from. The materials had been sitting at the Munyoro Business Centre before the quick installation started, which opponents saw as a tactical move to avoid the cost and embarrassment of removing everything after a potential loss.
