A MT PLEASANT Independent candidate for Saturday’s by-election says he is riding on the popularity of opposition politician Nelson Chamisa to woo votes.
The Independent candidate, Brian Ticky, is using Chamisa’s face in his campaign trail, inviting scorn from Chamisa’s loyalists who have threatened legal action.
Ticky has also been labelled a “Zanu PF funded chap” by Chamisa’s close ally Gift Siziba.
Addressing journalists in the capital, Ticky said his love for Chamisa’s politics was the reason why he was using his face in his campaigns.
“I am getting into this by-election in support of the former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) (leader) Chamisa’s vision because I see him as a charismatic leader who is a symbol of hope and the possibility of a better Zimbabwe for all,” he said.
“It is not a secret that advocate Chamisa is a loved man and he is the hope of every suffering Zimbabwean and every unemployed youth.”
Ticky will square off with Zanu PF’s George Mashavave and another Independent candidate Naison Mamuse.
The seat fell vacant following the resignation of CCC legislator, Fadzayi Mahere, in solidiarity with Chamisa after he quit the party he formed two years ago.
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Another by-election will be held on the same day in Harare East where CCC legislator Allan Rusty Markham also resigned from the CCC party and Parliament in support of Chamisa.
Ticky added: “Putting him (Chamisa) on our campaigning material was never meant to discredit anyone or mislead the masses.
“Rather it was a way of showing the people that we share the same vision with him. As visions attract provisions, right now it is not the time for division, but to ensure that we do not give a seat away to a member of Zanu PF.”
Zanu PF has gained a two-thirds Parliamentary majority through by-elections triggered by the recall of CCC legislators, councillors and senators by self-declared interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
