Tinotenda Hove –MASVINGO – Independent candidate for the Masvingo Urban Ward 7 by-election, Tsungai Mandati, popularly known as Mai Masimba, has firmly denied circulating social media reports claiming she is receiving financial support from the Mayor of Masvingo, His Worship Councillor Aleck Tabe.

In a statement released on Monday, Mandati declared:
“Nobody is funding my campaign. I am running this campaign independently and will continue to do so without any outside interference.”

The social media rumors alleged that other Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors, who have openly supported and funded independent candidates Nyahunda and Mai Masimba, were providing financial backing to Mandati’s campaign. Mandati dismissed these claims as false and cautioned that such misinformation could mislead voters.

She emphasized, “I want to make it clear that my campaign is fully self-driven. I am accountable solely to the people of Ward 7, not to any political office or individual.”

With the by-election scheduled for September 13, Mandati reiterated her commitment to engaging directly with residents to address their local concerns. She stressed that her campaign’s strength lies in grassroots support rather than reliance on outside funding or political patronage.