ZEC can’t take away Dombo raMwari from Epworth says Zalerah Makari

ZEC can’t take away Dombo raMwari from Epworth says Zalerah Makari

Epworth legislator Zalerah Makari has protested against the intentions of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to remove Dombo RaMwari from the Epworth Constituency.

Dombo RaMwari is a popular location in Epworth, but the delimitation report is proposing to place it in the newly created Hunyani Constituency.

The legislator said Dombo RaMwari is a significant geographic feature which is also sensitive in Epworth and cannot be moved to another constituency.

She said if Dombo RaMwari is removed there is no Epworth to talk about.

Below is the full text of what Honourable Makari said in the National Assembly.

HON. MAKARI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir. I just wanted to contribute on this very important debate, specifically to speak on the Ad Hoc report. I guess we can only but congratulate ZEC for trying to do what is needed and to adhere to our Constitution.  However, I am going to speak regarding the delimitation.  There is a problem in my constituency, that is Epworth. I am going to start by talking towards something that is very sensitive to us as Epworth and myself as someone who stays in the constituency.  There is no way you can move Dombo ra Mwari which is geographically significant to Epworth.  Kuti uti Epworth, you are talking about Dombo ra Mwari and you move it to another constituency or to another ward. I think the Constitution talks about being sensitive towards geographically features.  So that is my first concern. How do you take Dombo ra Mwari and put it in Hunyani Constituency and still remain with Epworth North and South?  In all intents and purposes, we no longer have Epworth when you remove such historical features as Dombo raMwari. 

The second point that I would like to highlight which was also stipulated in the Ad Hoc report is that the wards are not in sync, we have got certain wards that have 30 000 and other wards that have 33 000 in terms of population when using the voters’ registration.  It is not a secret that Epworth is highly populated.  If these numbers are not tallying, then I think we should just overlook the delimitation.  We have 7 wards in Epworth, and of the 7 wards, I am going to speak about Ward 2 in particular.  Ward 2 sits right behind Epworth Local Board which is the administrative capital of Epworth.  It has been moved to Harare South, so the electorate have to walk a distance of about 10 to 15km in order to exercise their democratic and constitutional rights; I do not think this makes sense.  Besides just voting, the social amenities, and social services, they get these from Epworth Constituency.  So, it means now although they sit right behind Epworth Local Board, they have to walk far to get health services and other social amenities that are entitled to them.   So as far as I am concerned, I think the delimitation has to be addressed.  They have to take into consideration the historical features.  It has to take into consideration other services that our electorate needs to take advantage of.  I think those are the major points that I would like to highlight as far as the delimitation report is concerned.  To cut the long story short, I think that these issues that I have highlighted are taken into consideration. I thank you.

ZEC can’t take away Dombo raMwari from Epworth says Zalerah Makari