After a resounding victory in the Norton By election on Saturday Temba Mliswa said he was ready to represent the people.
Mr Mliswa, pulled 8 927 votes against Zanu-PF’s Ronald Chindedza who garnered 6 129 to claim the Norton parliamentary seat.
While touring the constituency after emerging victorious, Mliswa appreciated the support by the electorate saying the victory can be used as a snapshot ahead of the 2018 general elections.
“This victory is not for Norton residents alone, but for Zimbabweans and it’s a warning to President Mugabe that we are coming for him in 2018.
Turning to speculations that he will rejoin the ruling party, Mliswa vowed that he would never turn his back on the electorate.
“I will not betray my people because as a leader, I represent the people who voted for me,” said Mliswa.
Mliswa told 263chat he will represent the interests of the people of Norton, pledging to force government to address the people’s concerns.
“I cannot make fake promises to my people, government has to provide for the people, it is its mandate . I will represent the people as I promised, but the government will cater for the needs of the people ,” he said.
Meanwhile,Opposition parties have congratulated Mliswa for convincingly winning Norton in parliamentary by-elections but remain cautious of Zanu PF’s rigging elements .
“The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates, Temba Mliswa for convincingly winning Norton in parliamentary by-elections held last Saturday.
“However, as the PDP, our position is that the election results released on Sunday, 23 October 2016, are not in any way a reflection that the election was held in a free, fair and credible manner.
In fact, the outcome of the Norton by-election may be one of the best results for Zanu PF and its propaganda machinery ahead of 2018 elections.,” said PDP.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu weighed in saying Mliswa’s victory will not stop the call for electoral reforms, amid allegations of massive violations recorded in the polls.
“We should never ever think that the regime has reformed simply because Mliswa clinched victory in Norton. We are aware that rural areas are presently ring fenced by the regime’s terror machinery,” he said.
