ZANU-PF Central Committee hopeful Paul Tungwarara has launched a sharp attack on opposition lawmakers who have represented Nkulumane, saying the constituency has seen little meaningful development despite nearly two decades under opposition leadership.
Addressing residents and party supporters at a ZANU-PF campaign rally on Wednesday, Tungwarara said urban constituencies, particularly in Bulawayo, continue to grapple with long-standing infrastructure and service delivery problems.
He argued that opposition parties have repeatedly won parliamentary seats in cities but failed to translate their political dominance into tangible improvements for communities.
“For over 20 years, the opposition has enjoyed support in urban areas, yet residents are still facing the same challenges,” Tungwarara said, adding that the ruling party deserved an opportunity to prove its commitment to urban development.
Tungwarara told voters that while ZANU-PF had historically prioritised rural development, it was now focused on addressing urban infrastructure needs, including housing, sanitation, and service delivery.
Also speaking at the rally, ZANU-PF National Political Commissar Munyaradzi Machacha accused opposition leaders of failing to resolve basic municipal issues such as sewer system maintenance and refuse collection.
Machacha said the ruling party would be better positioned to address these challenges if voters gave it a mandate in the upcoming by-election.
The remarks come as political parties intensify campaigning ahead of the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election scheduled for Saturday.
