Zanu-PF’s deep pockets give it the edge in Zimbabwe’s elections
While the ruling party plans to cover the country in its regalia and buy cars for candidates, opposition parties are struggling to pay campaign workers
Political party funding has come under the spotlight ahead of the upcoming general elections in Zimbabwe.Last week Zanu-PF’s national commissar‚ Retired Lt-Gen Engelbert Rugeje‚ told members the party would soon distribute millions of campaign materials to the masses."As for regalia‚ we have 15-million T-shirts‚ 15-million caps and some of them have already arrived‚" he said. "We also have 2-million [body] wrappers for women. "This year we want every party member to get at least three caps and three T-shirts. We want to paint the country with our regalia‚ such that‚ out of every three people you meet‚ two will be in Zanu-PF party regalia‚" he said.Last year‚ in preparation for the election season‚ Zanu-PF spent more than US$60m on 365 offroad vehicles‚ most of them Ford Rangers. At the time of the purchase‚ the late MDC T leader Morgan Tsvangirai branded Zanu-PF a "mafia" organisation. In 2013‚ all election candidates were given either a Ford Ranger‚ Toyota Hilux or Ford Everest."Wh...
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