Gutu East’s new MP hits the ground running with bold development agenda
SAMUEL NJINJA RECENTLY IN GUTU
Barely a week after clinching victory in the recent by-election, newly elected ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Gutu East, Zvarevashe Masvingise, has set in motion an ambitious slate of community development projects aimed at transforming one of Zimbabwe’s long-marginalised rural constituencies.
Masvingise’s swift mobilisation of government agencies and implementation of tangible development initiatives signals a deliberate pivot from rhetoric to results—one that many in the region see as overdue.
In an interview with Business Times during a visit to Gutu East, Masvingise laid out a multi-sectoral development blueprint centred around digital inclusion, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable water infrastructure.
“Access to a stable network is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity for economic and educational development,” Masvingise said, as he toured sites earmarked for ICT rollouts.
Connectivity for Learning and Growth
Chief among his priorities is the digital inclusion of rural communities, a long-standing challenge in the area. The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services has already dispatched a technical team to assess network coverage gaps in Chief Munyikwa’s jurisdiction, which includes Wards 15, 16, and 36.
The initiative dovetails with broader national efforts to close the digital divide between urban and rural communities, particularly in the education sector. Kurai Primary School has already received 10 laptops under an ICT enhancement programme, and plans are afoot to establish a fully equipped computer laboratory at the school. Equipment including routers, tables, and smart screens is expected to arrive next week.
“The schoolchildren here must not be left behind in the digital revolution,” said Masvingise. “This is about preparing our next generation to participate meaningfully in the economy.”
Rethinking Agriculture in the Age of Climate Change
Agricultural transformation, particularly through climate-smart practices, forms the second pillar of Masvingise’s development agenda.
In Mapako Village, located in Ward 39, a newly installed solar-powered borehole now supports a drought mitigation garden. The initiative, which includes water storage tanks and ongoing land preparation, is designed to ensure food security through sustainable irrigation.
Not far from there, in Alight Village, villagers began tilling the land two days ago in preparation for drip irrigation infrastructure that promises water efficiency and enhanced productivity.
“These gardens are more than just projects—they are lifelines,” said Masvingise. “Climate resilience must start at the village level.”
Water Access: A Constituency-Wide Drive
A recurring grievance across Gutu East has been the unreliable access to clean water. Masvingise has responded with a bold plan to solarise all bush pumps across the constituency.
“Our goal is for every ward to benefit from a sustainable water supply system,” he told Business Times. The wards targeted include 4, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 36, and 39.
Work is already underway in several locations. In Ward 4, solarisation has begun at Tirivanhu and Mandeya Villages, while Bvimbi Primary School is receiving its own system. In Ward 14, installations are ongoing at Kugotore Village, Dabwa Dip Tank, and Gwama Village. Ward 15’s Nemaparo Village is also seeing steady progress, with solar panels and pumping equipment currently being installed.
“These developments are restoring hope to communities that had almost given up,” said Ward 39 Councillor Ndinatsei Madzadzure. “This is the leadership we have been longing for—someone who acts quickly and understands our needs.”
Masvingise’s rise comes after a fiercely contested by-election in a constituency often viewed as a litmus test for ZANU PF’s rural outreach strategy. The early signs suggest he intends to leverage his mandate with urgency, but sustaining the momentum could prove the more difficult task.
For decades, Gutu East has struggled with poor infrastructure, limited investment, and a sense of administrative neglect. From broken water points to under-equipped schools, the challenges are structural and complex. Masvingise’s willingness to confront them head-on has sparked cautious optimism.
“This time, we are seeing things move faster,” said Mavis Chikasha, a teacher in Ward 16. “But we’ve seen promises before. What matters now is follow-through.”
Masvingise insists that his leadership will be anchored in action, not empty pronouncements. “Our people deserve results, not excuses. Development must be felt, not just announced,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With the groundwork already being laid for ICT infrastructure, solar-powered irrigation, and rural electrification through solarisation, Masvingise’s approach may serve as a case study for what focused, constituency-level leadership can achieve when aligned with national priorities.
He is also lobbying for improved road networks and better public transport links to connect farmers to markets and schoolchildren to education centres.
“There is no single silver bullet,” he noted. “But with coordinated action, we can reverse years of stagnation.”
As the dust settles on the by-election and attention shifts from campaign promises to real outcomes, all eyes will be on Gutu East. For now, Masvingise’s high-energy start has brought a renewed sense of hope—and perhaps a glimpse of what a development-focused rural MP can accomplish with political will and community trust.
