The fact that entrance into politics is now informed by financial rewards that accrue from that office more than anything else for me stands out as one the things that ought to inform how people will vote. But then, “now” seems a misnomer as public office has since independence always been viewed as a springboard to wild riches!

The bitterness that emerged from all political parties concerning who will present their respective parties is enough to point to the very bad turn issues of governance have taken in this country.

And many will readily say this is one of Zanu PF’s legacies that will continue to hound political space years for some time to come even with the coming into power of another political party.

True. Some say while Zanu PF extols itself for bringing independence (remember Chris Mutsvangwa’s SAPES outburst ), it should equally accept that it also institutionalized corruption, cronysim, thievery, where hard work is not a virtue.

I was puzzled the other week when a female MDC-T parliamentary candidate in Bulawayo said her ultimate goal is to become a government minister without any hint of sarcasm.

For one to actually say that openly does raise issues about why these people choose to enter politics in the first place.

It certainly has more to do with the perceived perks than serving God and country, and a person who harbours such ambitions will indeed punch their way into public office, no surprises therefore about the bloody nose some received during the primaries!

Another chap seeking re-election as an MP recently told the courts in a maintenance case hearing that he could not pay the monthly allowance his wife was demanding because parliament, his claimed sole source of income, had been dissolved.

And these are the same people who demand ridiculous allowances from the national purse, imagining that these resources are infinite. And they become career politicians.

That certainly should be a reminder to voters about politicians seeking their vote which these men and women must earn not just regurgitate condescending nonsense imagining they are dealing with an illiterate electorate.

It certainly is time voters interrogated issues, and the very fact that some of these political party manifestos are literally pies in the sky says a lot about politicians thinking voters will believe anything.

Kubatana continues to receive citizen feedback about the environment on the ground as Zimbabwe prepares for harmonised elections 31 July 2013.  You can read other comments and feedback here, here and here.

• Zanu PF is forcing business people to remove MDC-T posters from the walls of their shops in Gutu South at Nerupiri Business Centre, and threatening people saying they must vote for Zanu PF because there will be a computer inside the ballot box recording the names of people voting for MDC-T and those people will be beaten at the time of re-run.
• The way Zanu pf is reacting it shows that they now know that Tsvangirai is ready to rule.
• Could you please tell Mr PM to boycott for the sake of those who love him. We need peace.
• I was on a Zanu PF meeting in Tamandai Chipinge East with D Mutasa being the centre man. It was all about M Tsvangirayi, ‘achinzi pasi naye mbavha yevakadzi, hure revarungu. Akauya kuzoparadza dzidzo yakaunzwa na R Mugabe. Chipufkuto chakapinda muminda yatakapihwa navaMugabe 90 percent of the people where not of that area and 10 percent where all from MDC. They were saying vote for Zanu PF kuti nzara ipere.
• Hello Zimbabweans. Last week when i told you that political violence can start anytime in Mberengwa, some of you cried foul.  Look at what happens today. An Mdc-t supporter by the name Melusi Ngwenya  of  Matibini Village in Mberengwa North constituency was  chased from a funeral because he was carrying Mdc posters on his bicycle.  Sanson Mahwowa of Yorks resettlement  area and Edias Madhumera who are Zanu pf stalwarts  threatened Melusi with unspecified action before chasing him away. The fenural was at Matibini village where a respected old woman was being buried.
• Intimidation is rife from suspected CIO, soldiers and Zanu PF campaign agents in mission schools rural areas e.g. Murewa South. Newspaper vendors are being threatened not to display newspaper headlines that denounce Zanu PF or their leader.
• Can we please see a presidential live debate with all presidential candidates like most countries do before elections.
• Do you really discuss about the underdevelopment of Gokwe-Kana when you deliberate as cabinet/parliament & if so with what solutions?
• I’m worried about what  the media campaigning live but mdc no coverage it’s not fair
• Is it true MDC did it during the POLICE election.
• In Shamva MDC posters are being removed
• Pres Tsvangiraì mus consider de wishes of the pple 4 de pple know wat they want.
• Pamberi ne peaceful elections.peace is my responsibility.yo responsibility n our responsibility. Ngativotei murúnyararo.

Was up in the rural area for the weekend, Madziwa area, north of Shamva. Nicholas Goche country. I know, because I saw one poster to vote for him, as MP. Saw another poster on the back of an ET. And saw two torn (but new) posters. And that is all I saw out there. Is there an election coming?

Five Police points on the way home. But never even slowed down. Waved through every one. I guess we did not look like we had drugs under the seat, or explosives in the spare tyre. Were they just practicing (to intimidate)? Or just showing a sudden presence (which in itself is intimidation)? Or were they getting to the rural areas for the weekend too?

Back past the toll gate, inside the city, before the Shamva turn off from Mtoko Road, then elections is a bit more evident when you look. Whole ZESA substations covered in posters. A few on trees. Many vandalized (or just put up badly by clumsy people who tore them in the effort – too much excitement). But even then, cannot read them as you drive past. No one else seems to be looking at them.

Looks to me like this will be the non-event to rival the Constitution referendum. Which caused a landslide somewhere.

According to the Heal Zimbabwe Trust community update, a headman in Gutu West has threatened MDC-T campaigners that the ZANU-PF party is going to install hidden CCTV cameras in every house in the area. This is a scary threat for everyone (just look at the trouble the states got into when Edward Snowden decided to have his five minutes of fame), and for the MDC-T campaigners it must have been terrifying, but thinking about the logistics of this makes you snigger. They are saying a government, which can’t even provide power to its capital city for 24 hours is going to set up CCTV cameras? I would love to know where the funds for this one would come from, since apparently we don’t have enough money to complete our mobile registration. The threats that are coming out are ludicrous and completely unrealistic, and yet they have struck such deep fear into so many thousands of people who want something as simple as a peaceful and credible election!

Zimbabwe’s 2013 election is in 9 days time, and political party posters are papering the streets. As Bev Clark pointed out last week, Zanu PF’s tactic seems to be to plaster their posters on private property (and the occasional large rock).  Whilst clearly that has its problems, the MDC posters I saw this weekend covering up advertising for artisans and informal business people isn’t much better.

With formal employment being so scarce in Zimbabwe, many people have taken to informal employment, and advertise their services on trees. As this blog by Lenard Kamwendo demonstrates, key cutters, plumbers, electricians and more all find a place on Harare’s streets – and trees. If the MDC were serious about Jobs, Upliftment, Investment Capital and the Environment (JUICE) and the promises it makes in its 2013 election manifesto to tackle unemployment, you’d think it would be promoting these enterprising individuals, not covering up their advertising to further their own political agendas.