SEKE constituency opposition candidate Evaristo Chisi (pictured), who will contest the 3 February by-elections under the camp of self-imposed Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, says he is confident of emerging victorious.
BRENNA MATENDERE
Chisi will contest against recalled CCC candidate seconded by party leader Nelson Chamisa in the August elections, Willard Madzimbamuto, who is standing in as an independent candidate.
Munyaradzi Kashembe is standing for Zanu PF.
Chisi said despite filing under Tshabangu, he hopes to win because the CCC has no structures and accepts everyone in the fold.
“Tshabangu has no party. CCC is for all and there are no structures. That is the misconception that must be corrected among citizens. Our president remains Nelson Chamisa, that is why his face is our logo on the ballot paper,” he said.
Chisi said the campaign terrain is uneven in Seke as gatherings like rallies are not being permitted by police, leaving door-to-door campaigns as the only way out.
“Our posters are being defaced, but we do not know the people responsible for that. Gatherings are also not being permitted, making the campaign trail uneven, but I am confident of winning. The people have shown trust in me,” he said.
“I have since prepared a blueprint to turn around lives of people in Seke and my action messages are being received well. Seke is agro-based. I intend to intensify beneficiation schemes of agricultural produce like tomatoes so that people do not just go and sell them raw in Mbare.”
The aspiring MP also said his intention is to push for the construction of a dam in Seke to end perennial water shortages.
“We are also saying there is need to promote small livestock production in Seke. The people must be supported to do piggery projects and goat farming.
“On health and education, my aim will be for an increase of clinics and schools in the area because they are very few at present. We also need to stop illegal parceling out of land and stop land barons. I will also prioritise social and recreational facilities construction to end drug abuse among our young people,” he said.
Chisi joined opposition politics in 1999 as a card-carrying MDC member in Bindura. He fled the area in 2001 after a wave of violence against opposition activists and relocated to Harare.
He became an active member of the MDC in Harare North constituency which was under the late opposition MP Trudy Stevenson who later became Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Senegal and the Gambia.
In 2008, he became Harare West ward 16 vice-chairperson after Harare West constituency was split into two.
In 2013, he became the MDC Veterans and Activists Association (VAA) secretary for Harare province.
Before joining the Tshabangu camp, Chisi was a resident worker at the MDC’s Harvest House headquarters before he was suspended alongside five others after falling out with party leader Douglas Mwonzora.
