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VOTERS DEMAND PAYMENT FOR VOTES

By SIFISO NHLABATSI AND WONDERBOY NHLABATSI | 2023-07-24

It is time to pay up!
Voters have started harassing nominees for money in return for their votes.

At Mangwaneni area a man, whose state of sobriety was questionable and had nominated a candidate for the position of Bucopho, demanded more money from the nominee.

The voter, who was in the presence of other youth from the area, said since the aspirant politician had been nominated, he needed to prepare money to pay those who would vote for him in the primary elections.

Some of those who were present were heard supporting their ‘very happy’ friend.

They said it was common knowledge that a nominee must pay E200 per head if he wanted votes.
A nominee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was fully aware that they would now be targets and harassed by people who would try to make a quick buck out of them.

“What people must know is that if someone wants you to pay them first in order to get their vote, then that person is not to be trusted because obviously he or she will take his vote to the highest bidder,” the nominee stated.

He said in order to win the elections, it was important to surround yourself with people who genuinely have confidence in your abilities and support you.

“This will help you because you will go to the primary elections knowing who is on your side than having to worry if someone has paid more money than you for votes,” the nominee stated. The nominee said one could not run away from the fact that vote-buying was a common thing during elections in most countries.

In the 2018 elections, Ngomuyayona Gamedze, alleged that he was asked to secure bribes in order to secure a seat at senate.

During the nominations held over the weekend, a number of people openly imbibed on alcohol alleged to have been bought by some aspiring politicians. At Mangwaneni Primary School, a concern was raised after EBC officials picked on an individual whose state of sobriety was questionable.

Members of the public complained that the man, whose sobriety was questionable had nominated a candidate for the Bucopho position was because the nominee had bought drinks for his friends.

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