Mliswa says he won Norton because of Zanu PF influence, not MDC-T

By Maynard Manyowa

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has continued his scathing attack on Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, whom he claimed to be lost and fooled by social media, as well as lacking any support or influence in Norton.

Speaking a press conference held at the Media Center in Harare, Mliswa said that his election victory depended on two wards (15 & 12) which are traditional Zanu PF rural strongholds. He added that his support in the urban areas was lower than normal.

Mliswa downplayed the influence of the MDC-T or any coalition, and even went on to add that without a semblance of Zanu PF no one can win elections.

“This is the reason why I think parties don’t pay attention to detail. The support of MDC was important, but the critical one was the influence that I had in Zanu PF. If you calculate the figures, if you take the two wards, and remove them, I would have lost the election”

Mliswa added that “…without a component of Zanu PF there is not much you can do. The coalition can stand alone, but the people who were expelled from Zanu PF if they are serious and get together, they are able to win election.”

Mliswa said political parties are an old song whose pre-occupation is to attack Robert Mugabe. He said such a strategy was old and useless.

Mliswa aimed a dig at the MDC-T as a party, saying that he had no business meeting shadow ministers as they have no power nor influence, and said that for that reason alone, he defended his decision to get cozy with Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, whom he once accused of wanting to have sex with him.

Mliswa defended his decisions to attack Tajamuka, Patson Dzamara, and all other protesters. He said the government of Zimbabwe was brutal. He incorrectly stated a five-year-old child had been killed by the system, but added that all activists are doing is getting arrested.

He expressed disgust that Morgan Tsvangirai had snubbed him and travelled to South Africa for cancer treatment.

Mliswa spent the rest of the conference glossing the influence and power that Zanu PF has. He showered praise to Saviour Kasukuwere for graciously accepting defeat, a development he said echoed maturity.

• Maynard Manyowa is a journalist and contributing editor of Khuluma Afrika – a center for analysis, commentary and investigative journalism