The late Lavender passed on under mysterious circumstances
on August 22, 2020 amid allegations that he was murdered.
He was a popular ward 4 councillor under the opposition who
had been in office for 13 consecutive years.
At the weekend, his brother Johannes joined the ruling
party, claiming it was his constitutional right to do so.
Johannes was among eight opposition members paraded at a
rally addressed by the Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri at
Chikangwe Stadium in Karoi at the weekend under operation Tadzoka Kumusha.
Attendees at the rally were given bags of maize meal.
Chiwaya said he endured public scorn over abandoning the
opposition for the ruling party.
“Everyone has his or her constitutional right. In our
Constitution, there is a Bill of Rights that says everyone has a right to
freedom of association that must be respected. I am not a sellout. This is my
personal consideration and conviction to be part of Zanu PF. I am warning those
that have labelled me a sellout that I will not accept it any longer. I will
take legal action,” he said.
Ironically, Johannes was among the top youth leaders under
the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
After the opposition split, Johannes remained on the fence
while his late brother Lavender aligned himself with the then MDC Alliance
which was led by Nelson Chamisa.
Their brother Solomon, however, joined the MDC-T formation
led by Thokozani Khupe.
At the Karoi rally, Johannes appealed to the government to
help him acquire a plot.
“I am appealing to the minister (Mashonaland West
Provincial Affairs) Mary Mliswa-Chikoka to help me get a plot. I want to stand
on my own as a productive farmer,” he said.
Mliswa-Chikoka said the party would win all 17 local
authority by-elections in the province on March 26.
Candidates that will contest the Karoi local authority seat
include Rhoda Jaji, wife to the late Lavender Chiwaya. She will contest a Citizens Colaliton for
Change candidate, while Zanu PF will be represented by Solomon
Chikwerengwe. Stephen Mumiriki is
contesting as an independent. Newsday
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